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us 13(13. \,\S
HARVARD
COLLEGE
LIBRARY
zi^
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NEW COUNTY SEAL
Of the Gmnty of Middlesex. Adopted by Vote
of the Board of County Commissioners
July J5, 1905
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX
WITH BRIEF
biographical Sketches
OF THE
Men Who Have Served the County
Officially Since Its Settlement
BY LEVI S, GOULD
SOMERVILLE JOURNAL PRINT
1905
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
In the Year One Thousand Nine Hundred and Four.
[CHAPTER 238.]
AN ACT
To authorize the Printing and Distribution of a History of
the OflScials of the County of Middlesex.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in
General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same,
as follows: —
1. Section 1. The County Commissioners of the county
2. of Middlesex are hereby authorized and empowered to
3. print, at the expense of said county, the "history of the
4. officials of the county of Middlesex,*' as prepared by Levi
5. S. Gould, and to distribute the same without charge
(). among the public libraries and other public institutions
7. of said county, and among such other persons or institu-
8. tions as they may see fit : provided, that the entire ex-
9. pense of such printing and distribution shall not exceed
10. seven hundred and fifty dollars.
1. Section 2. This act shall take effect upon its pas-
2. sage.
Approved April 14, 1904.
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EDITOR^S NOTE
To the inhabitants of Middlesex County : It is not intended
to dignify the rambling sketches which follow as in any sense a
general history of Middlesex County; such an undertaking has
been attempted by others, but without signal success. A great
deal has been written, however, by a multitude of authors,
among whom Samuel Adams Drake and William T. Davis are
conspicuous, of deep interest to every American citizen, and it
is to be hoped that some one of commanding ability as an his-
torical writer may yet appear to collect the multitude of scattered
fragments and cement them together in an harmonious volume.
Much of the matter herein has been gathered from storehouses
of information open to all who care to investigate, and have the
essential elements of time and patience at their command. It
was collated as a **labor of love,'* without the hope of fee or re-
ward, and with no thought of publication for general circulation,
but at the earnest solicitation of many citizens of Middlesex, and
under the authority conferred by Chap. 238 of the Acts of 1904,
is now published by the Commissioners, as a collection of por-
traits and biographical sketches of faithful officials, considered
worthy of preservation amongst the public archives and munici-
pal libraries of the County. To this has been added certain in-
cidents believed to be of public interest, and others of historic
value to all the people of ancient Middlesex. Believing that like-
nesses are of special interest in biographical sketches, every
method which experience could suggest has been adopted to ob-
tain them, and where they do not appear it is good opinion that
none ever existed, or, if they did, have been lost through lapse
of time or indifference, or at least cannot be identified if still in
existence. The Editor regrets that any are missing. Portraits
in Colonial times were very expensive, and therefore rare, being
obtained only by bringing artists to New England from the
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6 ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
mother country, or by going abroad to meet them. About the
period of the Revolution, however, miniatures and silhouettes
were common enough, until the advent of daguerreotypes had
revolutionized the art of picture making. The likenesses here-
with are largely reproductions of family relics, which in the
originals were a somewhat motley collection of paintings, litho-
graphs, sketches, daguerreotypes, and photographs obtained only
by the expenditure of many months of patient research and
earnest solicitation. The signatures are mostly fac-similes traced
from original official documents. The compiler has indulged in
sentiments and opinions of his own. which, if seemingly over-
drawn, should be excused as perhaps a superabundance of
zealous admiration for the life work of the founders and patriots,
and for all other elements which have contributed to the settle-
ment, progress, and welfare of this most historic county. In
addition to those who cannot be specially enumerated, he is
deeply indebted to the Xew England Historic Genealogical So-
ciety for the use of its superb collection of genealogical records ;
to the State Librarian. C. U. Tillinghast, Esq. ; to the Librarian
of the Boston Athenaeum, Charles K. Bolton, Esq.; to Horace
G. Wadlin, Esq., Librarian of the Boston Public Library, for
permission to peruse its valuable files of ancient newspapers ; to
William C. Lane, Esq.. Librarian Harvard University; to the
American Library Association of Boston ; to Charles Cowley,
Esq., of Lowell ; and to Dr. Samuel A. (ireen, of the Massachu-
setts Historical Society, for kindly information.
Chaiiman
County Commissioners
Melrose, January, 1905.
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AN INCIDENT OF THE EARLY COLONIAL PERIOD
Ordination of REV. THOMAS CA,'^TER. First Minister of Woburn.
From a Painting in the V'oburn Public Library.
Key to the Painting — The figure in the centre of the pYtture is a representation (ideal) of the Rev.
Thomas Carter, when two lay members of his church were m the act of " laying on hands." The man with
the belt represents Capt. Exl\%'ard Johnson; the other is unknown. The ministers in the background are,
from the reader's left hand, first, John Cotton of Boston; second, .Richard Mather of Dorchester; third,
John Eliot of Roxbury; fourth, at the side of the pulpit, John Wilson of Boston— the faces of these four are
taken from contemporary portraits — all the other figures arc imaginary. The man on a bench with his cloak
slipping from his snoulders represents Increase Nowell, a magistrate whose duty it was to be present. Be-
sides the ministers whose names have been mentioned, there were present Symmesand Allen of Charlestown,
Shepard of Cambridge. Dunster, president of Harvard college, Knowles of Watertowi and Allin of Dedham.
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JOHN WINTHROP, Gov. op Mass. Bay Colony.
From 1629 to 1634, from 1637 to 1640, and from 1642 to 1644,
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OLD SEAL
PRESENT SEAL
Impressed upon the broad seal of the County of Middlesex
is the following legend : Incorporated A. D. 1G30. How or
when this historical inaccuracy occurred it is impossible to ascer-
tain. The records show that Middlesex-shire, Essex-shire,
SuflFolk-shire, and Norfolk-shire were legally incorporated May
10, 1643, the latter county not being the present Norfolk, but a
county including the towns of Salisbury and Haverhill in Massa-
chusetts, and Hampton, Exeter, Dover, and Strawberry Bank,
now Portsmouth, in the province of New Hampshire. It is very
likely, however, that the date of 1630 is intended to conform to
the arrival of John Winthrop, who brought the new charter fix-
ing the limits of what many are pleased to term as the original
territory of Middlesex County, being from three miles south of
the Charles river to three miles north of the Merrimack ; with a
limitless boundary westward to the sea, in other words, stretch-
ing for an equal width from the Atlantic to the Pacific! As it
exists to-day, what an empire has been developed within those
original lines, rivalling the wealth of the Indies ! That charter
covered the present locations of Troy, Albany, Buffalo, Dunkirk,
Detroit, Kalamazoo, Chicago, Dubuque, Sioux City, Fort
Laramie, and many other important cities ; it would take a strip
out of the states of New York, Michigan, Illinois, Iowa, Ne-
braska, Wyoming, Idaho, and Oregon ; it would graze the bor-
der lines of California, Nevada, and Utah, and through a claim
to most of the waters of Lakes Erie and Saint Clair had the
power to control the mighty commerce of the Great Lakes !
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10 ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
It was in 1614. six years before the landing of the Pilgrims,
that Captain John Smith, on a voyage of discovery, sailed into
"the opening betwixt Cape Cod and Cape Ann," now Boston
Harbor, but at that time known only by the Indian names of
**Shawmut and Mishawum/' the latter referring to the present
location of Charlestown. On Smith's return to England, he de-
scribed the country in glowing terms to the Prince of Wales,
later on the ill-7ated monarch Charles I., who gave the name
of "Charles'* river to its principal stream. In 1(522 a royal pa-
tent, which included Mishawum and Shawmut, was issued to
Robert Georges, but it is not apparent that any settlements under
ii were effected north of the Charles in the territory later known
as Middlesex Countv.
^S^CoJt: /^
The charter of the corporation known as "The Governor and
Company of the Massachusetts Bay in Xew England." under the
provisions of which it became possible to settle the territory
known as Middlesex County, was originally granted to John En-
decott and others in the month of March. l(i2S. Subsequently its
powers were enlarged and others granted shares therein, among
them being John Winthrop. who came over as Chief Governor
in the "Arbella." arriving in Salem June 12. 1630, Endecott's posi-
tion thereafter being that of Local Governor. The officers
sanctioned by the charter were a "Governor, Deputy Governor,
eighteen Assistants" |a Treasurer, Secretary of the General
Court. Major-General. Admiral at Sea, and Commissioners of the
United Colonies), to be chosen by the Freemen at a General
Court to be holden on the last Wednesday in Easter. The Free-
men (or legal voters) were only such as were members in good
standing of a church, so that heretics or irreligious persons were
absolutely excluded from all participation in any affairs of gov-
ernment. The territory conveyed in the words of the charter
was. "That part of Xew England between Merrimack river and
Charles river, in the bottom of Massachusetts bay, and three
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 11
miles to the south of every part of Charles river and of the
southernmost part of said bay, and three miles to the north of
every part of said Merrimack river and in length within the
breadth aforesaid from the Atlantic ocean to the South sea," etc.
The first "Court of Assistants" was holden on board the Gov-
ernor's ship, "Arbella/' in Charlestown Harbor, August 23, lfi30,
and the first General Court was convened at Boston October 19
of the same year. The General Court was to consist of the
"Governor, the :\ssistants, and all the Freemen of the Colony,*'
and was to assemble "four times a year," when necessary, offi-
cers were chosen and laws and ordinances enacted. Besides
"ordering and dispatching such business as should from time to
time happen touching said company or plantation," the General
Couit was charged with "settling the forms and ceremonies of
government and magistracy," the "imposition of lawful fines,
mulcts, imprisonment, or other lawful correction," etc., partak-
ing of a judicial character. vVs may be seen, this charter contains
all the essential elements of pure democracy, and it was granted
by Charles I., that ill-fated monarch who lost his head to the
Puritanical sentiment of the mother country, which proclaimed
him as a "tyrant, a murderer, and a traitor to his country" ;
nevertheless, to use his own words, this charter was granted **so
that the inhabitants may be so religiously, peaceably, and civilly
governed as their good life and orderly conversation may win
and invite the natives of the country to the knowledge and
obedience of the only true God and Savior of mankind." As the
General Court was composed of all the Freemen in the colony,
and the officers were annually elected by "show of hands," it was
to all intents and purposes a town meeting presided over by the
Governor or some other official. In the course of time the
inevitable happened (just as it has in later days by the transition
of towns into cities), as the population had increased by immi-
gration and plantations had pushed out into the wilderness to
such a distance from the common meeting place, that it finally
became not only inconvenient, but at times positively dangerous,
to attend the stated conclave of the court. In this dilemma,
constantly increasing, the Freemen got together in their scat-
tered communities and chose delegates from among themselves,
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12 ^ ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
clothing them with the power to do all things which they them-
selves might do if personally present, except the right to elect
"The Governor, Deputy Governor, Assistants. Treasurer, Sec-
retary of the General Court, Major-General, Admiral at Sea, and
Commissioners of the United Colonies,*' which right, except in
the matter of obsolete officials, has been handed down to the
present generation. The first meeting of delegates assembled
in General Court on the fourteenth day of May, 1034, and they
represented the towns of Xewtown (now Cambridge), Water-
town, Charlestown, Boston, Roxbury, Dorchester, and Saugus,
which included Lynn and Salem apparently. As Virginia ap-
pears to have adopted a similar method in 1G20, it seems to be
certain that the above was the second body, composed of a direct
and equal representation of all the people which ever assembled
for the purposes of legislation. During a period of 270 years,
through the entanglement of all forms of political intrigues and
alliances, with the mutability of religious and social problems to
contend with,. the basic principle of equal representation em-
bodied in that gathering has never been abandoned, neither have
the people seriously considered such a proposition. In all the
preliminaries attending the establishing of a permanent form of
government by Governor John Winthrop, the arena was princi-
pally in Middlesex County, and the actors therein were largely
her citizens.
The actual settlement of Charlestown, which formed the
nucleus of Middlesex County, must be ascribed to Ralph,
Richard, and William Sprague, three young gentlemen of mod-
erate wealth and of a good family, who left *'old England" as
sailing companions of John Endecott, the intrepid, on his mem-
orable voyage to Salem in 1(>28.* By permission of Endecott,
these three brothers started out on foot and penetrated the wil-
derness. They came to the junction of two rivers, where they
found an Indian fishing village called Mishawum, now Charles-
town, and it was they who, by consent of the aborigines, estab-
lished at this point what may be justly assumed to be the original
settlement of Middlesex County, in 1628-1629. Of the heroic
♦Some authorities contend that they came the next year. See memo-
rial, Sprague family, by Richard Soulc, Jr., p. 88 to 97.
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ANCIBNT MIDDLESEX. 13
band who followed them there, more than one hundred suc-
cumbed to the privations of the winter of 1629, and the re-
mainder, sick and discouraged, must have perished except for
the timely arrival of Governor John Winthrop in 1630. During
that year seventeen ships arrived, bringing 1,500 people, but
they in turn were so illy prepared to withstand the rigors of the
New England climate through lack of food, medicine, and shelter
that more than two hundred died before winter had really set in,
and many others thereafter.
At this point it is well to refer more particularly to the
Sprague brothers. They were the sons of Edward Sprague, a
fuller, of Upway County of Dorset, England. Ralph was about
twenty-nine years of age on his arrival. He resided in Charles-
town and Maiden all the rest of his days, and his tombstone, with
that of his brother Richard, is still to be seen in the old Phipps-
street burial place in a fair state of preservation.* The General
Court elected him a Constable of Charlestown in 1630. In 1634
he was a member of the first board of Selectmen, and in 1635 and
afterwards — in all, nine years — he was a representative to the
General Court. He was, in 1638, a member of the A. & H. A.
Co., and in 1647 Lieutenant and Captain of the train-band.
Some of his children were born in England ; three of them, John,
Samuel, and Phineas, settled in Maiden, where each founded
families, that of Phineas being specially prominent down to the
*Joanna Sprague, his widow, according to ancient records, married
Deacon Edward Converse, of Woburn, September 9, 1662. Deacon
Converse in his will made in 16o9 mentions a wife then living, but as he
did not die until 1663. probably the first wife died previous to 1662. — [Ed.
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14 ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
present generation. \\'ith his brother Richard, he owned quite
a tract of land at "Pond Feilde." now in the heart of the city of
Melrose. It was occupied by his descendants during many gen-
erations. He died in Maiden in KJoO. Richard, the second son
of Ralph, was a wealthy and influential citizen of Charlestown.
He was born in England. In 1(>7 4 he commanded an armed ves-
sel during the war of that period, and cruised in Long Island
Sound to protect the conunerce of that section. He was repre-
sentative to the General Court in 1(>81, from which he w^as ex-
pelled on account of the Andros episode, but was repeatedly
re-elected thereafter. Captain of train-band, KJSO, and deposed of
his command in 1(>89 for upholding Andros. Sergeant A. H. A.,
1683. He died in 1703, bequeathing a handsome sum to Har-
vard College and to other worthy purposes. Richard, the second
of the three brothers, was perhaps the most prominent of either.
He died in Charlestown, without issue, November 25, 1668. He
was captain of a pinnace, on which he made many trading voy-
ages, and finally became a merchant. He was one of the Select-
men, and a representative to the General Court in 1644, and from
1659 to 1(J6(). He was captain of the Charlestown Train Band,
a member of the A. & H. A. Co., first sergeant in 1652, ensign
in 1659, and lieutenant in 1665, and altogether quite a military
character, as shown by his love for the sword he carried, which
was bequeathed by him to his brother William, who in turn
handed it down to his son Anthony. He left a large estate for
the times, distributed principally to his nephews, but he left a
bequest, among the first of note, to Harvard College, viz.:
"thirty-one sheep and thirty lambs," probably to crop the college
green !
William was the youngest, being barely twenty years old
when he came. He married Millicent Eames, of Charlestown, in
1635, and settled in Hingham in 1636, where he was Selectman
in 1(;45 and Constable in 1661. He died in 1675. No stone
marks his resting place. He founded a large and highly re-
spected family. Among others. Judge Peleg W. Sprague, a
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 15
Senator of the United States, was a descendant. While the
Spragues must ever be considered as dominant factors in the ex-
ploration and first settlement of Middlesex County, truthful his-
tory should not lose sight of the fact that they discovered, on
their arrival at Mishawum, an "English house, thatch'd and
palizad'd," inhabited by a smith named Thomas Walford, who
"received them coldly." He had a wife, Jane, accused later on
of being a witch, and three children. How he got there, and
why he remained, has never been satisfactorily ascertained, but
it was said that he manufactured articles contraband of war for
the Indians ; at all events, he was not in accord, spiritually or
otherwise, with our Puritan fathers, who finally sequestered his
estate and drove him into the wilderness. Previously to this he
had been fined for some trifling offense, which he paid by killing
a wolf! His principal offense seems to have been in remaining
faithful to the Church of England, which in those days could not
be condoned. Probably he was not a really bad man, as subse-
quent history proves. He appears to have settled in the neigh-
borhood of what is now the city of Portsmouth, where he became
somewhat conspicuous in church and state, and died in Novem-
ber, !()()(), leaving a valuable property and a son of prominence.
Thus it is that the first Englishman to establish a home among
the savages of Middlesex County, and to live with them in peace,
paving the way for others, became the first victim of the bigotry
and intolerance of his own countrymen. He may have been an
original settler under the patent of Robert Georges, as some
authorities assert that he came to Weymouth with the "Wessa-
gussett" colony in 1()*^*^, and that he went to Mishawum in 1()25
to *'^7, after the former settlement had been abandoned.
Besides Thomas \\'alford the ancient record contains only
the names of the following ])ersons as contemporary with the
Spragues at Charlestown in U^2d, viz.: —
Thomas Graves, a general expert in engineering, mining,
and mineralogy, came from Gravesend, county of Kent, England.
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16 ANCIENT MIDDLB8EX.
Engaged by the Massachusetts Bay Company, March 5, 1628, he
came to Salem with Endecott, or, as some authorities assert, with
Higginson, and shortly afterwards moved to Charlestowri, where
he "laid out the town in lots" and built the "Great House" in the
square, previous to the arrival of Winthrop, by whom it was oc-
cupied until his removal to Boston. It is believed to have been
in existence as late as 1775, when the town was burned by the
British. He is said to have been one of the Commissioners to lay
out the town of Woburn. and that he became one of its first town
officers, but the latter statement is open to doubt, as he has been
frequently confounded with "Rear Admiral" Thomas Graves,
who was a resident of Woburn in its earliest history, and became
quite active in public affairs. Thomas the "Admiral" died May
31, 1653, leaving a large estate. The technologial training of
Thomas the engineer must have been of great service to the
colony. The date and place of his death have not been ascer-
tained. For some misdemeanor the Court of Assistants in 1631
ordered the house of "Thomas Graves at Marble Harbor to be
torn down," and that "no Englishman" should "give him enter-
tainment," thus making him an outlaw beyond the possibility of
relief.
5fer GrttUi
Abraham Palmer, a merchant from London, came over with
Higginson. He was Deputy from Charlestown to the first Gen-
eral Court in 1634, and Town Clerk, besides holding other im-
portant town offices. He was a military man, and took part in
the Pequot war as sergeant. He sailed in the Mayflower of
Boston for Barbadoes in l(>o'2, on a venture to be settled in Lon-
don. He died the following year either in London or Barbadoes,
authorities differ. p/^ ^^ n
Walter Palmer, was, without doubt, a younger brother of
Abraham. September 28, 1630, he was acquitted of the murder of
one Austin Bratcher, who was killed on the Cradock farm in
Medford "by blows on the head" during the summer of 1630.
He was a constable of Charlestown in 1633. In 1643 he was in
Rehoboth, and in 1646-7 the first Representative from that town.
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 17
In 1650 he was surveyor of highways there. In 1653 he removed
to Stonington. His will was probated in the Suffolk Registry
May 11, 1662. His descendants were numerous.
Mic^^&x r3> o^/
*^*^
Nicholas Stowers, was one of the founders of the church in
Charlestown, and also a member of the church in Boston in 1630.
He was an active and useful citizen. He died in Charlestown
March 17, 1646.
(A^^ojM ^c¥0^
Simon Hoyte, was originally of Dorchester, and went to
Charlestown in 1629. In 1633 he was living in Scituate. He
was of Windsor in 1639, of Fairfield in 1650, and of Stamford,
Conn., in 1659, where he died during that year.
Rev. Francis Bright was bred in Oxford, England, in 1603,
and matriculated at the New College in 1625. With his wife and
two children he came to Charlestown in the **Lion's Whelp" in
1629. After remaining about two years, he became discouraged,
and returned to England in 1630 or '31.
John Stickline (or Stickling). He probably removed to
Watertown in 1630, from which town he served as a juryman
May 18, 1631. He afterwards appears to have removed to
Weathersfield, Conn.
John Meech (or March), was an inhabitant in 1628-29.
John March, who may have been the same man, made a will
which was probated in 1665. The latter John was a town officer.
If he was not the "John Meech" mentioned, then all record of the
original John is lost.
Note. — These two men, Edward Johnson and John Mousell, were
among the first settlers of Woburn. — [Ed.
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18 ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
The hardships andprivations. which ieU io the lot of the cplo-
nists were of the. severest character,. Gently women, accustomed
to the comforts of an English home, came with their husbands,
and were obliged to endure the rigfors of the seasons **in hastily
constructed log houses, the interstices of whichVere rudely filled
with mud or clay," utterly inadequate to afford protection from
the .biting blasts of^ winter ,_apd but scantilj.^ the
commonest necessities of domestic life. . Surrounded .by '^glrej^ry
wastes of fen and marsh,!' with dense ipre^s stretcHjn^ into the
interior far beyond the knowledge of man, inhabited by hostile
Indians, with myriads of hungry wolves and other savage beasts
prowling about, they jnjisthave lived in ^eon&tant dread and peril ;
but this was not all ; famine stared them in the face, as their
crops were almost a.failure.durinj^ .the first two years^ and they
were obliged to subsist principally on shell-fish, mussels, clams,
lobsters, -and the like formeat^ and on grdundriiuts and acorns
as substitutes for bread. Little won(kr,then^ that the rank^^of
this .devoted . band . faded away through fever, and - the^any
climatic ills.\yhich iafflict.us.to this. day, .even in the possession of
al! the comforts. of the civilization of the twentieth century., >Qne
witness, and participator in their sufferings, wrote; .."Almost in
every family lamentation, mourning, and.woe were heard,, arid uq
fresh food to cherish them J* Another -witness said; ".Many died
weekly, yea almostdaily^" Amid ail these trials and tribul.ations
their ;heroic spirits were not brpken, but only cast down, and .they
looked forward with abiding faith in the God of their ^.alvation
for that heavenly benediction which Jfinally came as. the harvest
of their, sufferings. The . heroic struggles of. these 4eyot^d
pioneers were reflected, a century. and a.half .later, upon the. his.-
toric fields of. ancient .Middlesex,, where their descendantSji fired
by the same self-sacrificing spirit of loyalty to. God and.. their
hearthstones, completed the fabric of political and religibus free-
dom which > their- forefathers, -ur^.d^r- the. special ^aoctipn^oT-the
King of England, had unwittingly founded ml^^9 and 1J630*
Among other things of interest in coniiection^with the^couft
records of ancient Middlesex^ it is recorded in 1 640 that Charles-
towti possessed "a Water-Mill near Spot Pond."
The County Court held in "Charles-Towne" June 9, 1666,
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 19
Mr. BelHngham, Deputy Governor and Captain David Gookin,
Majors Wtllard and Appleton sitting as assistants, entered up
the following judgment in the first divorce proceedings com-
menced in the courts of Middlesex: —
^'William Clemence craving a divorce from his wife; do
judge it not meet to grant them a divorce at present, but do order
that they both ovvne each other according to their marriage
covenant, and that upon complaint made such party as shall be
found faulty in refusing so to do shall be severally punished."
December 27, 1(559, the court fixed the County Recorder's
salary at £6 13s 4d for the year!
April 2, 1661, the keeper of the County Prison was allowed
£5 per annum !
April 3, 1660, "In presence of the court,^' one Thomas
Browneing, a burglar, was branded in the forehead with a let-
ter B.
June, 1657, the Court passed an order directing the "com-
mittee on erection of Misticke Bridge'' to "impress any car-
penters or sawyers for a fortnight's labor or less." This must
have been identical in location with the bridge now existing at
Medford square, over which the travel of northeastern Middle-
sex and most of Essex and the province of Maine passed in colo-
nial times.
It is very evident that the custom of illegal voting is not of
recent origin, as the General Court more than 250 years ago
found it necessary to enact the following order : "It is ordered, if
any person shall put in more than one paper or bean for the
choice of any officer, he shall forfitc ten pounds for every offence,
and any man that is not free, puting in any vote shall forfite-ten
pounds." It was a common custom with our forefathers to use
Indian corn and beans as a substitute for written or printed
ballots in voting for candidates at town and other elections; if
the kernels of corn were in the majority it indicated an election,
otherwise a defeat; in this manner the voting continued on one
name at a time until someone was elected. The General Court
also enacted the following: "Noe person, either man or woman,
shall hereafter make, buy, or wear, any apparell with any lace on
it, gold, silk, or threade, or any gold or silver girdles, etc," de-
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20 ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
daring that the '^excessive wearing of lace and other superflui-
ties" tended **to the nourishing of pride and exhausting of men's
estates." The **eating of cake or buns except at burials, mar-
riages, and such like occasions" was also prohibited by statute,
and so was the wearing of "short sleeves" by women, "whereby
the nakedness of the arms may be discovered," and the wearing
of "longe hair" by men, being "prejudicial to the public good, any
one persisting therein should be presented to the next Court."
The observance of Christmas was looked upon as a species of
idolatry, punishable as a crime similar to those convicted of the
"throwing of dice or the playing of cards !" It is a matter of in-
terest to the present generation to know that flesh as an article
of food, except in the form of fish or game, was practically un-
known to the common people of Xew England, until after the ex-
piration of the first century of immigration ; their oxen were
necessary as beasts of burden, their cows indispensable for milk
and the reproduction of their species, and their sheep for wool.
Fowl were scarce and useful for their eggs, so that no domestic
animal could be spared for slaughter. Hasty pudding, hominy,
milk, and a sort of porridge, or compound of odds and ends, con-
stituted the ordinary meal, baked beans and brown bread having
l)een introduced at a much later period. Cooking utensils were
few and simple, while knives and forks were not in common use
even in the old country, until many years after the settlement of
Middlesex ; the fingers of our Puritan ancestors being quite as
handy as forks for the solids, while rude wooden spoons answered
for the liquids and for other purposes. As late as the days of
Queen **Bess," it was expected that each guest at an English-
man's feast would bring his own knife, with which to carve from
the food furnished by the host, eating the pieces from the fingers.
Wooden ware was in common use, the well-to-do using pewter.
Tea and coffee were not imported to any extent for several gener-
ations after the advent of the first settlers. Coffee was not intro-
duced into the mother country until more than thirty years after
the landing of the Pilgrims, and tea as late as 1 T*^8 was selling at a
price which prohibited its use except by tlie nobility or others of
great wealth, viz. : at from eight to ton dollars a pound. The
capacity of the farming community for the consumption of cider
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AKCIENT KIDDLESEX. 21
about the Revolutionary period must have been prodigious; in-
deed, many of them could have drank but little else. It was un-
doubtedly used at every meal. Most of the farms during the
later Colonial days were overrun with wild apple trees, the fruit
of which was fit only for cider. It is related that a Carlisle far-
mer rolled into his cellar one hundred barrels of cider every fall,
taking them out to be re-filled the next season. As this large
amount was all consumed by his family, it would furnish each
member thereof with two and one-half gallons every day in the
year ! We have also the evidence contained in ancient wills,
where provision was made for the support of widows, that about
that amount of cider per capita was considered a necessity.
In June, 1777, the Selectmen of Concord fixed the prices
to be charged for all commodities, including labor. Common
laborers were allowed sixty-three cents per day, and carpenters
sixty-seven. As early as 1741 the Selectmen of Chelmsford es-
tablished a similar code for the regulation of wages and prices of
almost every article in common use. As an illustration of values
1()4 years ago, wood could be bought at that time in that town for
thirty-seven cents a cord ! All who varied the rates established
by the Selectmen were deemed "monopolists and public enemies/'
and prosecuted accordingly. Legislation to restrict and punish
monopolies is nothing new.
Middlesex County, since the days of the Spragues, of
Winthrop, and other pioneers of the Western wilderness, has
become a mighty power in this Commonwealth. The dawn of
the twentieth century casts its refulgent splendor upon more than
five hundred and sixty-five thousand souls, scattered over an area
of eight hundred square miles within its forty-three towns and
eleven cities; a population nearly equalling that of the County
of Suffolk, its only rival within this Commonwealth; greater
than that of any city save New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, and
St. Louis, and outstripping the recent census of twenty-two of the
states and territories of our Union ! The waters of its four prin-
cipal rivers, the Charles, Concord, Nashua, and Merrimack, from
their sources to the sea, probably drive more spindles than all
others in America, and, it may be, than those of any four rivers in
the world. Her first court house was burned in Cambridge in
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22 ANCIENT MIDDLESBX.
1671. History gives no intimation as to the erection of this
building, but as early as March 3, 1G35, Cambridge was desig-
nated as one of the four towns in Massachusetts Colony where
courts should be held, Ipswich, Salem, and Boston being the
others. While it is certain that the Cambridge Court House was
the first erected, it is equally certain that Charlestown also pos-
sessed County buildings of some kind at a very early period, the
location of which cannot be definitely fixed, but it is believed that
they were on the east side of the present City Hall square. Con-
cord was a shire town from 1(J92 until 1867. a period of one hun-
dred and seventy-five years, and Lowell has been thus honored
since 1836. For a brief period courts were also held in Groton.
Her population is increasing with greater rapidity than any other
county, two of her municipalities, Everett and Melrose (now a
city), showing the largest gains in the Commonwealth by the last
state census, and she has within her borders one-third of all the
cities of the Commonwealth.*
♦It is interesting to note that no attempt to disrupt the territory of
Ancient Middlesex through the formation of a new county has been suc-
cessful, although the scheme was attempted as early as 120 years ago
The following communication, never heretofore pul)lished, was and is
to-day a convincing argument against such action. The insatiate and
overpowering greed of the city of Boston, however, swallowed up the
town of Brighton in 1874, and the historic municipality of Charlestown
disappeared from Ancient Middlesex and from the map the same year,
from the same cause, after an honorable existence of almost 250
years. — [Ed.
Cambridge, 10th May, 1784.
Gentlemen; The subscribers being appointed by the inhabitants of
this town, a committee for taking all proper measures to prevent a divi-
sion of this county, as requested by the inhabitants of the towns of Hop-
kinton, Holliston, Sherburn, and Natick, beg leave to lay their reasons
before you for your consideration, and to desire your co-operation either
by a communication of your sentiments to us. or by an instruction to
your representative.
There are already as many terms of the supreme judicial court as
can be attended with any tolerable convenience to them or the people at
large, during that part of the year which is suitable for traveling. To
multiply counties is therefore only increasing the evil and multiplying
the embarrassments of a law suit, so far as respects an appeal. It is
evident that the multiplication of counties necessarily increases the influ-
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 28
^^"-^P^txSSiJ^^y
All the glamor and all the weird and fancied charms of the
dim and distant past are with us as we speculate upon the pro-
found mysteries locked up within the relics of that amphitheatre
on the banks of the Charles, where the hardy Norsemen are said
to have builded a city and worshipped their Deities almost a
thousand years ago ; or, as we conjure up the illustrious names
and the, glorious -records of those pioneers of American civiliza-
tion who with their descendants in many generations have
adorned the bench, pleaded at the bar, or left the stamp of char-
acter upon- the Tnstitutiofls Of this grand old county of ours :
Thomas Dudley, Simon Bradstreet, Peter Bulkely, Increase
Nowell, Simon Willard, of the long ago, and Edward Everett,
Ralph Waldo .Emerson, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Henry D.
eTice of government, by increasing the number of commissions in their
gift. We do not mean that it g^ives the laws greater energy, for, if that
was the consequence, we should not object. But it increases that kind of
influence by which any measures of government may be enforced,
whether constitutional or not. It appears to us equally true that two
courts cannot sit for the same expense as will suffice for only one court.
Not only two sets of judges are to be paid, but all the inferior officers
and attendants on a court, as well juries as others. Admitting that by
the division there will be less business for each, yet there will be, upon
the whole, an increase of travel and every other charge incident to the
holding of a court, and, at the same time, a greater probability of the
business being imperfectly done, there being in the case of little business
but small encouragement to study and to understand tht laws.
You will also recollect that the support of county buildings and other
charges of that kind will necessarily be increased by multiplying coun-
ties. We cannot think that the increase of charge by an unnecessary,
even granting it to be a convenient, multiplication of offices is wisely
contrived at a time when the necessary expenses of government are as
great as can easily be borne. There is undoubtedly a time when divi-
sions of this kind may with propriety take place. That time will be
when the business of the counties cannot be done in their present form.
While It can be done, and through the neglect or incapacity of any offi-
cer is not done, there is another and it appears to us a much less expcn-
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24 AKCIENT MIDDLESElt.
Thoreau, James Russell Lowell, Henry W. Longfellow, all na-
tives or residents of Middlesex County, with scores of others liv-
ing and dead, whose brilliant thoughts in later years have en-
riched the literature and ennobled the art of the Anglo-Saxon
race.
A brief review of the life work of a few of the early settlers,
as well as that of some of the natives of Middlesex who have ad-
vanced to a foremost rank in public service or in the develop-
ment of commerce, mechanics, science, literature, or art, is in-
teresting and profitable. Among the first is
sive remedy. Upon the whole, if these or any other reasons which you
may think of are convincing to you, we shall hope for your support, and
whether your sentiments be for or against the proposed division, we are
desirous of a friendly communication of them.
We are, gentlemen, with respect,
Your very humble servants,
JAMES WINTHROP,
CALEB GANNETT,
To the Selectmen of Littleton. WILLIAM WINTHROP.
James Winthrop was a graduate of Harvard in 1767 (son of Profes-
sor John) ; Register Probate from 1775 to 1817. He was fifth in descent
from Governor John Winthrop.
William Winthrop was a graduate of Harvard in 1770 (son of Pro-
fessor John, of Harvard) ; Register Deeds, 1784 to 1794. He was a brother
of James.
Caleb Gannett was a public-spirited citizen of Cambridge. — [Ed.
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AKCIENT MIDDLESEX. 26
Rcv» John Harvardt
^v<*^
Whose name is as common as a household word, yet of
whom little is known save that he was born near St. Saviour's
Church, Southwark, a suburb of London, where the entry of his
baptism still exists in the church register, with the date, Novem-
ber 29, 1607. His father seems to have ^'purveyed meat until the
plague removed him." The son matriculated at Emmanuel Col-
lege, Cambridge, married Anne Sadler, and became a Puritan
minister, but does not appear to have had a settlement. He was
possessed of a modest inheritance, and came to this country ac-
companied by his wife in 1637. He was a young man of not
more than thirty years, and in delicate health. Shortly after his
arrival, he united with the First Church in Charlestown, and died
of consumption the following year, September 14, 1638, leaving
one-half his worldly estate, viz., £779, and a library of three hun-
dred volumes to a school which the General Court had previ-
ously agreed to establish and endow with the sum of £400. This
"school or college," was ordered by the Court on November 15,
1637, to be established at "Newe Towne." With the money, of
which it is doubtful if the college received more than one-half,
and the library thus donated, buildings were erected and fur-
nished, and a career initiated which, in the Providence of Al-
mighty God, has advanced this humble **school or college" to the
front rank of educational institutions in America. In grateful
remembrance of its benefactor, the name of ''Harvard" was at-
tached to the infant institution, and that of "Cambridge" to the
little hamlet of "Newe Towne," in token of the famous English
university from which he graduated. In the Phipps-street burial
ground at Charlestown, an interesting relic of Colonial days, the
curious may view a modest monument, upon which is inscribed
the name of this foremost American benefactor of science, litera-
ture, and the arts. Many have and others may excel the sum
of his dowry, but none can ever approach the mighty influence
which has resulted from that timely, though humble, contribution
to the majesty of education and the dignity of human attainments.
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26 ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
CoL Loammi Baldwin^
Third in descent from Henry Baldwin, a subscriber to the
**To\vn Orders" for Woburn in 1040. He was born in North
Woburn, January 10, 1744, and died there October 10, li807, aged
sixty-three. From an enlisted man in 1775, he was rapidly pro-
moted to the colonelcy of the Twenty-sixth Massachusetts Regi-
ment, in the command of which he participated in the re-crossing
of the Delaware and in the Hattle of Trenton. He was in 1780
the first Sheriff of Middlesex County after the adoption of the
constitution, and it was while he held this office that his duties
called him to an obscure section of the little town of Wilmington,
where his attention was attracted by an extraordinary gathering
of woodpeckers upon an apple tree which stood by itself in an
open field. On investigation, he discovered that the fruit of the
tree was of an excellent, but unknown, variety. Gathering
scions, he not only grafted them upon his own trees, but scat-
tered them broadcast throughout the County of Middlesex. In
this way was brought to public notice the ** Baldwin" apple, un-
surpassed in hardihood and productiveness, which has added mil-
lions to the farmers' revenue throughout the Xorth, and after the
expiration of a century of cultivation, stands without a peer as a
winter fruit. The original tree was destroyed by a severe gale
in 1815. It was a chance production without the intervention of
man, and may be claimed as indigenous to the soil of ancient
Middlesex and a veritable boon to the science of pomology.*
He was Representative from 1778 to 1779 and from 1800 to 1805.
*In a letter written by Colonel Baldwin to Count Rnmford Novem-
ber 4, 17P9, is the (allowing interesting reference, viz.: **In the cask of
"fruit .... there are half a dozen apples of the growth of my farm^
**wrapped up in papers with the name of Baldwin apples written upon
"them It would gratify me much to know the true English name
"for them. However, I rather doiibt whether the nice character of this
"apple will answer exactly to any particular species of the English fruit,
"as it \% {as I believe) a spontaneous production of this country."
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BENJAMIN THOMPSON, Count of Rumford.
See page 31.
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HON. LOAMMI BALDWIN, JR., *' Father of Civil Engineering in America."
In 1825. Designer of the Shaft Erected on Bunker Hill, and from 1827 to 1834 Builder of the
Famous Dry Docks at the Charlestown and Norfolk Navy Yards. Born m Woburn, May
16. 1780. Died in Charlestown, June 30, 1838, aged 58.
Photographed by Baldwin Coolidge of Boston from a Painting by Chester Harding, the
Property of Mrs. Wm. A. Griffiths of Quebec, Canada. See page 29.
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 29
Colonel Baldwin is also noted as a promoter and one of the
principal constructors of the famous Middlesex canal (the first of
its kind in America) which connected the Merrimack with the
Charles. It was commenced in 1794 (Colonel Baldwin digging
the first spadeful of turf September 10), and completed in 1803.
October 3, 1859, the Supreme Court declared the franchise for-
feited, the canal having been abandoned.
He was the friend, companion, and schoolmate of Benjamin
Thompson, Count of Rumford, elsewhere mentioned, and was
honored with a degree by Harvard. The Baldwin ancestral man-
sion is now standing, and is pronounced one of the finest exam-
ples of colonial architecture in New England. It is said to be
the oldest house in town. Colonel Baldwin was the father of
Hon. Loammi Baldwin^ Jr.,
Bom May IG, 1780, fitted for college at Westford Academy,
and graduated at Harvard, class of 1800, in which was Wash-
ington Allston, the artist (a bosom friend), and Chief Justice
Lemuel Shaw. He essayed the profession of law, but while
studying with Hon. Timothy Bigelow, at Groton, was confronted
with a new light, which changed his whole course in life, and
gave to his country the services qf one w^ho has been proclaimed
by competent authority as the ** Father of Civil Engineering in
America.'* The incident at Groton was as follows: A disastrous
fire having occurred in the village, which might have been pre-
vented by suitable fire appliances, the young student went to
work and constructed with his own hands in 1802 a fire engine,
which Dr. Samuel A. Green, the eminent historian of Groton, as-
sures us was in perfect working order, and could throw a stream
over any building in town eighty-seven years after its construc-
tion, and it is in active commission to-day, after the expiration
of one hundred and two years of service.
Relinquishing the study of law, he devoted himself to me-
chanics and engineering. Two noted memorials to his skill in
constructon have stood the test of time, viz., the dry docks at the
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30 ANCIENT MIDDLES^i^.
navy yards in Charlestown and Norfolk, both of which in their
class are unexcelled to this day. When consulted regarding
the former, he was in doubt, and said to the Secretary of the
Treasury : ** What if I should fail?" '^ Then we will hang you, "
was the laconic reply. These docks were built between 1827
and 1834.
With Professor George Tlcknor, Dr. Jacob Bigelow, Samuel
Swett, and Washington Allstoh, he served upon a committee, of
which he was chairman, and reported to the monument associa-
tion on July 1, 1825, a specific plan for the building of an obelisk
on Bunker Hill, which plan was adopted and the shaft erected.
He was Treasurer of the town of Cambridge in 1816, Councillor
in 1835, and Presidential Elector in 1836, casting his vote for
Daniel Webster. He died in Charlestown June 30, 1838, aged
fifty-eight.
Hon» Richard Sanger of Shcrbom
Deserves more than passing notice, and so also does Rev.
Samuel Porter, who was settled in tliat town as its third minister
in 1734. Upon the farm* of Captain Samuel, a son of Richard,
originated the famous "Porter'' apple, second to none of its class.
Some accounts state that it was a product of the farm of Mr.
Porter, who perhaps lived upon the property at that time, but all
agree that the name came from him, and that both he and the
captain distributed the scions from the tree both far and wide.
As late as 1830, the stump of the original tree might still be seen
upon the Sanger estate. Richard Sanger was elected a Repre-
sentative to the Continental Congress, convened in Cambridge
February 1, 1775. With Rev. Samuel Locke, president of Har-
vard from 1770 to 1773, and Jedediah Phipps, who manufactured
saltpetre for the Continentals, he was of the committee of corre-
spondence. His son. Captain Samuel, was an inn keeper, and is
represented to have been a man of deep piety. He had the honor
of entertaining General Washington whife passing through Sher-
born. Like the ^'Baldwin," the "Porter" apple was indigenous
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 31
to the soil of ancient Middlesex, although it originated at the op-
posite ead of the county. As a favorite autumn fruit, it has
maintained a commanding position for inore than one hundred
and. irfty years, and honored the pomological standing, of thq
town and county which gave it birth.
Sherborn is an ancient settlement, to which was called as the
first minister in 1679 Daniel Gookin, Jr., a graduate of Harvard,
and son of Major-General Daniel Gookin, Superintendent of the
Praying Indians of the Apostle Eliot. The town was settled in
1G52 and incorporated in 1674. It is said that the first cider-mill
i^Lthe colony was established here, and it is also-claimed that the
most jextensiv^ one i« America is in operation there to-day
._ .Among -the many who have broadened the avenues, of
science^-wemay -point to- . .
Benjamin. Thompson,^ G^ of Rumford*
A. Middlesex boy o{ the Colonial pericwi, bom March 26,
1753, in a Wohurn farmhouse. now standing. A descendant in
the fifth generation from Lieutenant James Tomp.son, who came
over with Wintbrop in 1630, was a member of the first Board of
' ♦Betijamin Thompson, Count of Rumford, Knight of the illustrious
orders of the White Eagle and of St. Stanislaus, Liewtenant-General in
the .service of His Majesty the King of Bavaria.
- Note; — ^The foregoiflg titles were attaGhe<l to Rumford's will, wherein
Harvard College- was ma.de his residuary legatee, and out of which wa'^
established. the. "Rumford Professorship." The signature is a fac-siniile
of the one attached to a gift of $5,000 to the American Academy of Arts
ancf Sciences. It has been truly said that to the country of his bfrth he
bequeathed his fortune a«d his fame.— -[Ed.
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32 ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
Selectmen of Woburn in 1644, and died September 14, 1693.
The mother of Benjamin was left a widow when her child was
less than two years old. She was descended from William Si-
monds, an original settler, her father being Lieutenant James
Simonds, who served with great bravery in the French and Eng-
lish wars.
ycum^^mt^
Her boy had but brief opportunities for schooling, but
at the age of fourteen, according to his own statement, he had
calculated a solar eclipse within four seconds of accuracy. At
the age of thirteen he had left school and was bound out as an
apprentice, but used every available moment to improve his qiind.
In 1768 and 1769 he was teaching school in Wilmington, and in
1770, at the age of seventeen, he also taught at Rumford, N. H.,
now the city of Concord, where his friendship with Wentworth,
the Royalist governor, caused him to become an object of sus-
picion to the patriots, by whom he was placed under arrest, but
reluctantly released through the efforts of his bosom friend,
Loammi Baldwin. Later on he was proclaimed as an enemy to
his country, and his estate was sequestered. Protesting his inno-
cence, and stung to the quick by these accusations, he hastily and
l>erhaps unwisely left for England just prior to the Revolution,
where his skilful address and superior abilities attracted the at-
tention of George the Third, by whom he was knighted, and later
on he became Minister of War and Grand Chamberlain to
Charles Frederick, the Elector of Bavaria, and finally, as Count
Rumford **of the Holy Roman Empire," a title conferred by his
friend, the Elector, became renowned the world over as an en-
lightened philanthropist and a most eminent man of science.
His death occurred at Auteuil, in France, August *21, 1814, aged
sixty-two. While he was still living, the citizens of Munich
erected a beautiful cenotaph, surmounted by a statue, commemo-
rative of his distinguished services in behalf of the people of
Bavaria. It is erected upon a spot which his genius had trans-
formed from a repulsive waste to an earthly paradise, and bears
upon its several sides these inscriptions: —
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 33
"Stay, Wanderer!
"Rumford, the Friend of Mankind,
*'By Genius, Taste, and Love inspired,
"Changed this once Desert Place
"into what thou now beholdest.
"To him
"Who rooted out the greatest of
"public Evils,
"Idleness and Mendicity,
"Relieved and instructed the Poor,
"And founded many Institutions
"For the Education of our Youth.
"Go, Wanderer,
"And strive to equal him
"In Genius and Activity,
"And us
"In Gratitude/'
A replica of this memorial stands in the grounds of the public
library building at Woburn, the gift of a public-spirited citizen,
and from it the likeness was taken which is introduced herewith.
Elias Howe»
Who established his claim as inventor of the sewing
machine, while working in Lowell, in company with an inventive
genius named Wackenfeldt, who was employed by the Merrimac
corporation, perfected some of the important features of his
machine, out of which he finally received in royalties not less
than two million dollars, while his former assistant remained in
humble circumstances.
Charles Goodyear^
Noted the world over as a pioneer in the modern process of
treating India rubber, lived in Woburn while experimenting with
the vulcanizing compound. Meeting with repeated failure, he
became so poor that he had no money with which to decently
bury a dead child, the corpse being carted to the grave in a job-
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34 ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
wagon. Both he and his family would have starved, had not
a kind-hearted neighbor relieved his urgent necessities with a
loan of three dollars when all others denounced and passed him
by as a vain and delusive dreamer. His experiments were con-
ducted in the old silk mill at East Wobum, and success finally
came as the result of an accidental placing of a lump of his com-
position upon a hot stove, by which it w^as vulcanized, thus re-
vealing the proper treatment. He had previously been unsuc-
cessful in business, having failed in 1830, and during the next ten
years was many times imprisoned for debt. Others profited by
his inventions, and while he was decorated with high honors by
the leading powers of Europe, he died comparatively poor.
Alvan Clark,
As early as 1826, was working ten hours a day for nine
dollars a week, as an engraver in a mill at East Chelmsford, now
Lowell. His marriage, from which a son was born in Lowell,
was the first one recorded in that town. After concluding his
contract, he painted portraits and miniatures until 1844, when,
in company with his son, who had obtained some experience at
Andover, he commenced the manufacture of telescopes in Cam-
bridge, where they produced some of the most famous and
powerful astronomical instruments of their day, rivaling the
work of lense grinders in all ages.
Samuel F. B» Morse
Was another native of Middlesex, whose birthplace, the
Edes Mansion, may still be seen on Main street, Charlestown.
This building is an historic edifice, being the first house erected
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ANCIENT middlEse:^. 35
after the wanton destruction of the town by the British during
the battle of Bunker Hill. He was born April 27, 1791, and died
April 2, 1872, aged eighty-one. His father was Rev. Jedediah
Morse, a noted minister of the First Church in Charlestown,
where he preached from 1789 to 1820. He was also distin-
guished as the "Father of American Geography." At the age of
fourteen, Samuel entered Yale College. After his graduation,
he became a pupil of Washington Allston, the greatest American
artist of his period. One of Morse's creations, *'The Dying
Hercules," exhibited in 1813 at the Royal Academy, London,
received the gold medal of the Adelphi Society of Arts. His
success as a painter, while considerable, did not equal his ambi-
tions, and he turned to electro-magnetism, a science in which he
had previously experimented. The investigations of this re-
markable genius finally produced the electric telegraph, thus
harnessing for the purposes of man an element to be so widely
developed in later years as to stamp him as the principal inventive
benefactor of his age. It is seventy years since he entered the
wilderness of electricity to develop and conserve its subtle power.
Others have followed, but their brilliant achievements have failed
to eclipse the marvelous triumphs of those early instruments,
which, at the magical touch of the master's key, girdled the earth
with human thought, and to this day are supreme in command
of the telegraphic art.
Let us turn for patriotic inspiration to that never-to-be-for-
gotten genius of our own times, the "Autocrat of the Breakfast
Table,"
Oliver Wendell Holmes,
An illustrious son of Middlesex, born opposite the college
green in the historic house of his sire, a famous minister of Cam-
bridge. This mansion was selected by Artemus Ward, general-
in-chief of the Continental army, as his headquarters immediately
succeeding the battle of Lexington, and within its walls was
planned the occupation of Bunker Hill. Therein was also written
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36 ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
that Stirring and wonderful hymn dedicated to "Old Ironsides."
In this house Washington frequently consulted with his generals
and from it the lamented patriot.. Dr. Joseph Warren, who,
though he had been commissioned a Major-General, and was
President of the Provincial Congress, then in session at Water-
town, went out never to return, on the memorable morning of the
Seventeenth of June, 1775, to take part in the eventful battle of
Bunker Hill. Half sick and greatly fatigued, he stopped here in
the hours of the early dawn for rest and refreshment. It is
known that he spent the entire day and a portion of the evening
attending to his Congressional duties, and it has been asserted
that the balance of the night was passed in the practice of his pro-
fession, administering in a case of child-birth — a striking ex-
ample of the scriptural injunction, "in the midst of life we are in
death."
Oliver Holden^
Of Charlestown, was another Middlesex County boy of the
Colonial and Revolutionary period. Born in the little agricul-
tural town of Shirley, September IS, 17()5, he was for many years
a carpenter and contractor, finally drifting through natural
affinity into the business of music selling and publishing. In
1788, at the age of twenty-three, he went to Charlestown, where
he supported himself for a period by hard work with the saw and
plane, gifted in the spirit of harmony, but quite unknown to
fame. In 1793 he published a collection of sacred music, under
the title of "Union Harmony," in which appeared the music of
**Coronation,'' with words ascribed to ''Rev. Mr. Medley." This
must have been a plagiarism, as the original hymn was written in
1780, by Rev. Edward Peronnet, an English non-conformist, who
died in Canterbury in 1792, without having listened to the inspir-
ing melody of his immortal song, as rendered by the genius of
Oliver Holden. In the wide range of Christian harmony, no
hymn of the century appeals more directly to the reverential emo-
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 37
tions of the human soul, or inspires loftier sentiments of devout
adoration from those untold millions who "hail the power of
Jesus* name and crown him Lord of all/' The tune was first
sung at the dedication of the Pearl-street Church in Charlestown,
which stood nearly opposite the house where the composer passed
away, September 4, 1844, aged seventy-nine. He was Worship-
ful Master of King Solomon's Lodge, A. F. and A. M., of
Charlestown, from 1797 to 1800.
Hon* Ephraim Wales BuII^
Of Concord, was born in Boston March 4, 1806. He was a
gold-beater by trade, and conducted the business in Boston, until
ill health induced him to settle in Concord about the year 1836.
Here he was interested in horticulture, but continued to carry on
his trade for several years with a few workmen. Observing a
vine which had sprung up and grown to maturity on his land,
evidently a seedling of the native Fox grape of New England, he
found the fruit better than the wild grape, upon which he planted
its seed as an experiment, obtaining in 1849 a grape which has
revolutionized the viticulture of North America, forcing its way
into every garden and vineyard of consequence in the temperate
zone from the Atlantic to the Pacific, being hardy throughout the
North. It was introduced commercially by Mr. Hovey, the dis-
tinguished horticulturist, in 1853. As soon as its merits became
generally known, it was pronounced the most important type of
the American grape, a position from which, after half a century
of cultivation, it has not been dethroned. Indigenous to the soil
of ancient Middlesex, it shares high honors with the Baldwin and
Porter apples, contributing with them satisfaction to the con-
sumer, while adding millions to the coffers of cultivators, not
only in New England, but throughout the great West. The
original vine is still preserved through a sucker from its roots.
Beyond the fame attached to the production of a variety of uni-
versal merit, Mr. Bull received little of substantial value from his
important discovery, others reaping most of the pecuniary re-
wards. In political matters Mr. Bull was very active as a Whig
in the campaign of 1840, and as a "Native American" in 185G
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38 ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
and 1857, being a member of the House of Representatives in
the former year, and a Senator in 1857. He was a member of
the State Board of Agriculture twelve years, Chairman of Se-
lectmen, and a useful member of the school committee of Con-
cord. Surviving to a great age, outliving his family, and being
unable to work or to care for his estate, it faded away, and he died
in deep poverty, September 30, 1895, aged ninety. The Con-
cord grape is his lasting memorial.
James Abbott McNeill Whistler,
Late of London, the super-eminent artist, was a son of Mid-
dlesex, born in Lowell in 1834, and christened in "Old Saint
Annes" church, as recorded on its baptismal register, November
9, 1834. His father was Major George Washington Whistler, a
graduate of W>st Point, who resigned from the service, and went
to Lowell in 1834, entering into the employ of the Locks and
Canal Company as chief engineer in charge of their extensive
works for the construction of locomotives and machinery for rail-
roads and mills. While there he constructed for the Boston &
Lowell railroad several engines fashioned after the one they had
imported from London, which was built by Robert Stephenson,
the first man in the world to successfully demonstrate the use of
locomotives. Mr. Whistler was afterwards employed in various
sections of the United States in great public and private enter-
prises, among them being the Western railroad from Springfield
to Albany. In 1842 he was called to Russia by the Czar to build,
as engineer in charge, the first railroad of importance in that em-
pire. It connected St. Petersburg with Moscow. In the former
city he was attacked with cholera during a severe epidemic, from
the effects of which he never fully recovered. He died April 9,
1849, sincerely lamented, having successfully performed the great
work with which he had been intrusted. His remains were sent
to America and first buried in Boston, but finally removed to
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 39
Stonington, Conn. He was one of the most distinguished engi-
neers which this country has ever produced. His son, James
Abbott McNeill, was also educated at West Point, or, at least,
spent three years there, having been discharged June 16, 1854,
**for deficiency in chemistry," but standing at the head of his class
in drawing. He drifted finally to Paris, following his artistic
tastes, where he studied for a time under an eminent teacher, and
was well known in the Latin quarter. In 1863. at the age of
twenty-nine, he settled in London, remaining there during the
balance of his career, devoting with tireless energy his remark-
able talents in the development of original and striking concep-
tions in the realm of art. The products of his brush have been
scattered far and wide, provoking interesting discussion among
skilful and critical connoisseurs in many lands, while his etch-
ings, if we are to accept the extravagant tributes of enthusiastic
admirers, are unsurpassed even by the great masters. In his
chosen profession he was undoubtedly a genius of magnitude,
and it is possible that history may crown him as first of his pe-
riod. It is a matter of historic interest to know that Major John
Whistler, the grandfather of this erratic genius, was an Eng-
lishman who came to America in the British army, serving under
Burgoyne at Saratoga, where he was captured. After being hon-
orably discharged in England, he returned to America and settled
for a time in Maryland. He afterwards enlisted in the army of
the United States, and was severely wounded in an engagement
with the Indians. He was promoted to captain and finally be-
came a major by brevet. He died in the service of his adopted
country, with a record of able and faithful duty courageously per-
formed.
Lowell, April 18, 1904.
My Dear Sir: I am not able to g^ve you the date of the birth of Mr.
Whistler; but he was baptized in St. Anne's Church on November 9, 1834
(being the son of George Washington and Anna Matilda), by the late
Rev. D. Edson, then the rector.
I think Mrs. J. B. Francis, 68 Mansur street, Lowell, can give you
the birth date. My parish register does not.
Very truly yours,
A. St. John Chambre, Rector.
Mr. Levi S. Gould, Melrose.
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40 ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
Lowell, April 20, 1904.
Mr. Gould: —
Dear Sir: Your letter is just received, asking of James Whistler.
Mr. Whistler came to Lowell in 1834, and Mr. Francis, my husband,
came with him then. I do not know of the birthday of James Whistler,
but he was born on Worthen street, about the fifteenth of July, after the
family came to Lowell. This is the best I can do for you.
Yours sincerely,
S. W. Francis.
The "Whistler" house was the home of Mrs. Francis for twenty-five
years. — [Ed.
May 16, 1904.
Mr. Levi S. Gould, 280 Main street. Melrose, Mass.:—
My Dear Sir: In reply to your letter of the thirteenth inst. inquiring
about the date and place of birth of James Abbott McNeill Whistler, 1
beg to say that the records of the Military .Academy show that he en-
tered here on July 1. 18ol, under the name of James A. (Abbott) Whist-
ler; aged at that time, sixteen years and eleven months. He was ap-
pointed at large, and his place of residence was in Pomfret. Windham
county, Connecticut. .At the end of his second year's course, in 18o3, he
was absent with leave, on account of ill health. On June KJ, 1854, he was
discharged from the academy for deficiency in chemistry. .At that time
he stood at the head of his class in drawing and No. 39 in philosophy, the
total number in the class being forty-two. He recorded his place of
birth as Massachusetts. Very respectfully,
R W. Coe,
Captain, Artillery Corps, Adjutant.
Headquarters United States Military Academy,
West Point, New York.
October 10, 1904.
Mr. Levi S. Gould, 280 Main street, Melrose, Massachusetts: —
My Dear Sir: In reply to your request of the r)th inst. for a tracing
of the signature of James Abbott McNeill Whistler, I beg to say that I
have had made and enclose a photographic reproduction of his signature
as it appears on the records of the Military Academy, July 1st, 1851.
You will note that at the time he entered here the *' McNeill " was not in
his name. Very respectfully,
F. W. Coe,
Captain, Artillery Corps, Adjutant.
The foregoing correspondence should settle the debated question as
to the native place of the artist. — [Ed.
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HON. EPHRAIM WALES BULL of Concord.
He Originated tlie '* Concord" Grape Which was Introduced in 1849.
Born March 4, 1806. Died September 30, 1895,
See page 37*
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REV. JOHN ELIOT, ** Apostle of the Indians."
From an Ancient Painting Discovered in a London Junk Shop. Born lt04, died 1690.
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 43
Rev* John Eliot,
Known throughout the Christian world as *The Apostle of
the Indians of North America," is inseparably connected with the
annals of ancient Middlesex. No history thereof can be consid-
ered complete which fails to deal with his sincere and earnest
consecration to the civil advancement and the moral and spiritual
uplifting of those semi-nomadic tribes which hunted, fished, and
generally inhabited the confines of the Charles and Merrimack.
The memory of this remarkable man has received a fitting tribute
in this generation from all the people of the Commonwealth, in
the heroic figure of the "Apostle" preaching to the natives, as de-
picted in the mural painting recently finished, on the walls of the
Memorial Rotunda in the State House, by order of the General
Court.
He was born at Nazing, County of Essex, in 1604, and edu-
cated at Jesus College, Cambridge, graduating therefrom in 1623.
He came to America in the "Lion'* (Captain William Pierce), ar-
riving at Nantasket November 2, 1631. Among his fellow pas-
sengers were the wife and children of Governor John Winthrop.
It was a tedious voyage of ten weeks. On a subsequent trip of
the same vessel came his betrothed, gentle Anna Mountfort,
to whom he was married in October, 1632, a few days after
her arrival. In the same year he was appointed pastor of the
church in Roxbury, holding this position during a period of
fifty-eight years, until the day of his death, which occurred on the
twentieth of May, 1690, aged eighty-six. In addition to his pas-
toral duties, he was devoted to the civilizing and Christianizing
of the Indians of Middlesex County, among whom he persistently
labored for more than half a century. He was a man of sincere
charity, with an irresistible impulse to uplift and benefit
humanity. It is said of him that the parish treasurer, knowing
his weakness, on one occasion when paying his salary, tied it up
in a handkerchief with many hard knots. On his way home he
stopped to console a poor woman who was sick and destitute,
and, wishing to help her with a portion of his salary, he endeav-
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44 ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
ored to untie the several knots which his cautious friend had so
carefully tied, but, finding it impossible, left the bundle upon the
table, saying that it was evidently the Lord's will that she should
have the whole of it! As early as 1646, he had so far mastered
the Mohican dialect, principally used by the Massachusetts tribes,
as to be able, in their own tongue, to preach to the savages gath -
ercd within the confines of the present city of Xevvton, in a
"warm, sheltered valley" called Nonantum, or "Noonatomen,"
signifying a place of rejoicing.
In this arduous and heroic work, often performed at the risk
of his life, he was greatly assisted by a young Pequot captive who
had been apprenticed, or practically enslaved to a Dorchester
planter, in accordance with a custom too often resorted to by our
English ancestors.
He also received much aid and comfort from Daniel
Gookin, elsewhere mentioned as the "Indian historian," who was
a lifelong friend, and by whom he was frequently accompanied.
On one occasion he was threatened by an Indian with death for
promulgating the gospel. His reply was : "I am about the work
of the great God, and he is with me. Touch me if you dare."
The first Bible printed in America in any tongue was published
in Middlesex County, at Cambridge, in 1663. It was in the In-
dian language, and was translated by John Eliot, aided by one
Job Xestuan, an aborigine who had become an excellent lin-
guist. Faithful to the cause of the English, he was slain while
fighting in their ranks against King Philip.
cl&r'iii^hiA U^
•^^ g^eS0n.j(^Z.
The printers of this now priceless treasure were Samuel
Green and Marmaduke Johnson, both of whom were often men-
tioned in the earliest records of the town of Cambridge.
Samuel Green, if his family traditions are correct, came over
with Winthrop, having as an intimate fellow passenger Hon.
Thomas Dudley, afterwards chosen many times as Governor and
Deputy Governor, with whom, according to the story (said to be
of his own relating), he slept on shore in an empty cask until
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 45
better quarters could be provided. He was Town Clerk of
Cambridge from 1()94 to 1(399, and Clerk of Writs from 1652 to
the day of his death. He was a commissioned officer iii the
famous **train-band" more than sixty years, becoming its Captain
in 1689 at the advanced age of seventy-five. After assuming
the management of the **Day press,*' he was the only master
printer in New England for nearly half a century.
Marmaduke Johnson came to America under a contract
signed April 21, ICCJO, with the London "Society for propagating
the gospel in New England," for the purpose of assisting in the
printing of an Indian Bible under the direction of *'Mr. John
Eliot and Mr. Greene.*' The limit of time was three years, and
the salary forty pounds per annum.
He was probably the first journeyman printer in America -
who had served a regular apprenticeship, as Day, who preceded
him, being of another trade, probably took it up as a side issue,
working at first in a clumsy way, and Mr. Green entered into it
apparently as a business venture, on the advice of others. In
1662 he was indiscreet enough to captivate the affections of Mr.
Green's daughter without first obtaining the sanction of her
father. Such a proceeding in Puritan times was not only consid-
ered as a gross breach of social decorum, but positively scan-
dalous in the eyes of the law. Johnson was forced into court
and fined five pounds, which he refused to pay. Subsequently
he was ordered to leave the country within six weeks and placed
under bonds to do so. As the culprit was still under contract to
complete another year of service in getting out the Bible, then
well under way, he could not be spared from that important work,
and so the General Court was appealed to and an act passed
which enabled him to remain.
The lassie, who was the underlying cause of all this trouble,
proved as fickle as many others of her sex, for she found another
lover before poor Johnson was able to satisfy the court by official
proof that his former wife was really deceased, not "diseased." as
the wretched orthography of the recording officer had gravely
set forth. After completing his contract, he finally married a
worthy woman, and nothing further was heard of the case
against him.
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46 ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
"€4.^rr:
The press used in printing Mr. Eliot's Bible was the first one
set up on the British North American continent. It was origi-
nally operated by Stephen [Steven] Day, who agreed to come to
New England for the purpose in 1638. The press was brought
over by Rev. Jose Glover, who sailed from England, accompanied
by Day, in 1638. Mr. Glover died on the passage, and his
widow had it set up. She subsequently married Rev. Henry
Dunster, the first president of Harvard College, and thus the
control of the press passed into his hands, and to a certain extent
appears to have been used as an adjunct of that institution. The
first product of this press was the "Freeman's Oath," which was
struck off in March, 1639. In 1649 the plant seems to have been
transferred to Mr. Green, who appears to have conducted it
about half a century. Day, to whom must be ascribed the im-
mortal honor of setting up and running off the first form in
British North America, was described as a ^'locksmith" in the
ancient records relating to his emigration. He lived in Cam-
bridge until 1668, when he died, at the age of seventy-five, in
poverty, thus establishing a precedent in the dissipation of
worldly wealth quite generally followed by members of his craft
to the present generation.
Mr. Eliot also edited an Indian grammar, and at other times
published catechisms and primers for the use and instruction of
his converts, as well as other works of general interest or of
broader application. He was the first man in America to lift up
his voice against the treatment and vassalage of negroes and the
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 47
selling of Indian captives into slavery, although it was genera-
tions before the seed thus sown blossomed and bore the fruits of
general emancipation.
For their courageous defense of the *'praying Indians," while
popular clamor was at its height in 1675, both Daniel Gookin and
Thomas Danforth (afterwards Deputy Governor), his steadfast
associates, were posted and threatened with death by an un-
reasoning and infuriated populace. Mr. Eliot's age, then being
upwards of seventy, and his profession, probably saved him from
similar treatment.
Maior-General Daniel Gookin
Originally came with his father to Virginia in 1621 from
County of Kent, England, afterwards residing in Roxbury about
three years, there forming the acquaintanceship of Mr. Eliot.
He moved to Cambridge in 1647, where he passed the remainder
of his days. He was licenser of the printing press in 1663. His
public services to ancient Middlesex, especially in the militia,
were eminent, and his labor in behalf of the "praying Indians*'
may best be judged from the works of his pen as their faithful
historian. He was Lieutenant of the train-band of Cambridge
in 1637, Captain in 1638, and rose to the position of Commander-
in-Chief of the Middlesex County militia during King Philip's
war. He was also Major-General of all the forces of the colony
in 1681.
His deep piety is shown in the following sentence, which
concludes his instructions to Captain Sill and his company of
Charlestown, Watertown, and Cambridge men, when they were
sent forth against King Philip November 2, 1675 : "So desiring
the ever loving Lord God to accompany you and your company
with his gracious conduct and presence, and that he will for
Christ's sake appear in all the mounts of difficulty and cover all
your heads in the day of battle, and deliver the bloodthirsty and
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48 ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
cruel enemy of God and his people into your hands, and make
you executioners of his just indignation upon them and return
you victorious unto us, I commit you and your company unto
God." He was Selectman of Cambridge from 16(50 to 1672 ;
Representative from 1649 to 1651, being Speaker of the House
during the latter year. He was an Assistant from 1652 to 1686,
except in 1676, when he suffered defeat through his friendship for
the **praying Indians/' and his endeavors to protect them from a
frenzied outburst of popular passion. He was also the confiden-
tial agent of Oliver Cromwell, and entrusted by him with several
important commissions especially relating to colonization of the
West Indian Islands. He was a friend of both Goffe and
Whalley, the regicides, and was accused of a desire to protect
them from arrest. He died March 19, 1686-7, aged seventy-five
years.
Deputy Gov. Thomas Danforth
Was born in Framlingham, Suffolk, England, in 1622, and
came to Cambridge in 1634, where he became one of the
wealthiest and most distinguished men of Middlesex. That he
was a man of remarkable character, wonderful energ\', and supe-
rior abilities may be inferred from the broad range of his public
services during a career of more than fifty years, all of which is
related in detail under the caption of "Clerks of Court,'' he having
been the first in the line.
His death occurred November 5, 1699, aged seventy-seven.
He left no descendants in the male line.
There being "nothing new under the sun," it is fair to sup-
pose that the "Ku Klux Klan" of the South must have been mod-
elled from "Ye new society A. B. C. D." of Eliot's day. Listen
to their warning: "Boston, February 28, 1675. Reader, thou
art desired not to suppress this paper, but to promote its designe,
which is to certify (those traytors to their King and country)
Guggins and Danforth, that some generous spirits have owed
them destraction, as Christians wee warne them to prepare for
death, for though they will deservedly dye, yet we wish the health
of their souls. By ye newe society, A. B. C. D."
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 49
One of these warning hand bills is still in existence. When
we turn to the record of the life work of both "Guggins and Dan -
forth," it is needless to add that threats were of no avail against
such men except to defeat Mr. Gookin's election as Assistant in
1676, a single instance, to be triumphantly vindicated at the next
election, and to temporarily embarrass Mr. Danforth in a similar
way. They had no fear of man^ "the eternal God being their
refuge."
In opposition to the common opinions and practices of the
leading men of his day, Mr. Eliot was professedly a teetotaler,
and without doubt the first apostle of temperance in America.
Using nothing but water himself, he said of wine: **It is a
noble, generous liquor, and we should be humbly thankful for it ;
but, as I remember, water was made before it."
Through his efforts, the General Court in 1651 was induced
to grant 6,000 acres to the "praying Indians," at that time gath-
ered at a place in Middlesex called Xatick, signifying in their
language "a place of hills." It mainly occupied the territory oi
the present town retaining that name. It is distinguished as
being the first town government in North America, officered and
solely managed for a term of years by the aborigines, and it is
worthy of note that during many years after the whites had ob-
tained the ascendency, the town records were kept in both the
luiglish and Mohican dialects. Natick was an Indian town from
1651 to 1T62, a period of one hundred and eleven years. In 1826
the Xatick Indians were extinct. ^Ir. Eliot not only framed a
civil and judicial form, based on Mosaic law, for the government
of this settlement, but spent much of his time among them.
Lender his spiritual advice and direction, many of these Indians
developed into pious and devout teachers of the word of God,
spreading far and wide the glad tidings of the gospel of Jesus
Christ, until several similar communities were established and
ministered to within the limits of ^Middlesex County. Most of
them had unpronounceable, but appropriate, Indian names, and
were located at places now known a^ Marlboro, Chelmsford,
Groton, Littleton, Concord, and Ashland, with two settlements
in Lowell, one known as Wamesit, at the junction of the Concord
and Merrimack, at one time a portion of Tewksbury, and the
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50 ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
Other at Pawtucket Falls, on the Merrimack, at that time within
the territory of Dracut. In 1653 Mr. Eliot remained several
days with the "Pawtuckets,'* sometimes called the "Wamesits,"
administering to their temporal as well as spiritual needs. The
'*Eliot*' Memorial Church in Lowell is said to occupy the iden-
tical spot whereon he frequently preached.
Under his watchful care and parental guidance, they grew in
grace and prospered, until their numbers in the **praying bands''
had increased, in the aggregate, to about eleven hundred souls,
and they had built some churches. But alas ! there came a time
when the poor savage learned to his everlasting sorrow that his
designation as a **praying Indian" was to be used by unscrupu-
lous and designing men only as a byword and reproach, and
that the holy ways of the meek and sanctified Eliot were in no
sense the ways of the world. Notwithstanding the fact that
these "praying Indians'' were often called upon by the authorities
to act with the settlers against their own people during the
bloody conflicts of King Philip's war, and many freely offered
their lives in defense of English hearthstones, yet, through the
overpowering avarice of some and the hatred and treachery of
others, scores were driven out of their habitations and away from
valuable lands coveted by their persecutors, to perish in the wil-
derness through exposure, hunger, and disease, while others, de-
prived of their most sacred rights by our Puritan ancestors, were
sold into slavery, thrown into prison on the slightest pretext, or
slaughtered in whole families without provocation. Occasionally
some one was brought to the bar of justice and suitably punished
for such unholy atrocities, but the cases were rare, although it is
recorded by Daniel Gookin, heretofore mentioned as a bosom
friend of Mr. Eliot, and who at that time was Superintendent of
all "submissive Indians," in an '^historical account of the doings
and sufferings of the Christian Indians in New England in
1675-6 and 7," that, on petition'of "certain Christian Indians,*^
one Daniel Hoare, a son of John Hoare, of Concord, ancestor of
the present illustrious family of that name, was convicted in 1676
and sentenced to death, with three others, for the murder of three
of the women and three of the children of the "praying Indians."
Hoare was subsequently pardoned, but two of his associates in
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 51
crime, Daniel and Stephen Goble, were executed. John Hoare,
father of Daniel, was a consistent friend of the "submissive" In-
dians. He was as potent, intellectually, in his day as are his de-
scendants in ours, if we may judge of his merits from such frag-
mentary evidence as exists in the history of Colonial times.
It has been estimated that the Indian tribes hereabouts in
New England numbered nearly 3,000 souls, of whom about one-
quarter had been influenced in the direction of Christianity by the
efforts of Mr. Eliot. Had this large number given their fighting
braves to the hostile tribes who were continually using their
powers in this direction, it is doubtful if the whites could have
escaped utter annihilation. Notwithstanding their atrocious
treatment, many of these faithful Indians, true to the instincts of
savage warfare, donned the moccasin, and in the habiliments of
the scout stealthily tracked the warriors of King, Philip, dealing
dea)th and destruction wherever they went. In this way alone,
according to the records of General Gookin, more than 400 en-
emies of the colonists were slain by men of their own blood. An
heroic example of fidelity, in contrast to acts of perfidy and
treachery by the colonists.
In the words of the charter brought over by John Winthrop,
these trusting children were to be guided by the settlers "to the
knowledge and obedience of the only true God and Savior of
mankind.** Let us hope that the persecutions they were forced
to submit to at the hands of their white brethren, whose duty it
was to teach them in the Christian graces, wrought out a more
enduring and peaceful rest in the Father's kingdom than was ac-
corded by their earthly guardians. This foul blot on the page
of colonial history has repeated itself again and again under the
civilization of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries in the treat-
ment meted out in the South to our black allies of the Civil War.
Until the present generation shall purge itself, it may not
raise the hand in horror at the fate which fell to the lot of so
many of the trusting disciples of John Eliot. After the death of
the apostle, and with well nigh every man's hand against them,
one settlement after another gave way to the advancing tide of
oppression, until the "praying Indians'* of Eliot's time became
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52 ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
but a memory of by-gone days, to be referred to only as an inci-
dent in Colonial history.
As we consider the greatness and power of the Middlesex of
to-day, may we never fail to do homage to the memory of those
brave men and heroic women who came across the stormy seas
and commenced that first settlement at the junction of the
Charles and Mystic, and who finally, through their descendants,
wrested a howling wilderness from wild beasts and savage foes,
and, planting the church and schoolhouse side by side, reared a
yeomanry so imbued with Christian courage, and so seasoned
with unselfish, intelligent patriotism, as to make the glorious
record of Lexington, Concord, and Bunker Hill but natural in-
cidents leading up to the surrender of Yorktown, and the inde-
pendence of this republic. Hastily summoned by the warning
voice of that peerless horseman in the cause of liberty, Paul Re-
vere, men of Middlesex shed the first blood of the Revolution,
offering their lives as willing sacrifices upon the altar of their
country ; an act destined, in the Providence of Almighty God, to
awake earth's slumbering millions and shake the firmament with
their battle cries of freedom.
*'By the rude bridge which arched the flood.
Their flag to April's breeze unfurled.
Here first the embattled farmers stood.
And fired the shot heard round the world."
Foremost in the fierce and relentless wars of the Colonial
period ; first in the opening scenes of the Revolution ; first on the
field with her gallant Sixth at the dawn of the great Rebellion ;
equipped again and sleeping on their arms, they were ready for
the first signal of the Spanish war ; there her record stands in the
teeming history of the past, pre-eminent in defense of the liber-
ties of man and in all the duties of citizenship, as well as in com-
merce, in manufactures, and in all the higher avenues of peace.
Within her borders are the classic shades of Harvard, and the
philosopher's retreat at Concord. Along her northera bounda-
ries, skirting the limits of the granite hills of New Hampshire,
her farmhouses nestle under the shadows of grand, silent, and
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THE MINUTE MAN.
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OLD NORTH BRIlXiK, COXt'ORD.
Scene of the Fight.
GOV. CRADOCK. HOLSK, MEDKORD.
Built in 1(*«. ProlKibly the oldest
house in the I'nited States*.
LKXIN(;ioN COMMON.
W.AYSIDE INN. srDBlKY.
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 65
majestic Monadnock, while her eastern shores are gently bathed
by the tides of the sea, or lashed into foam by billows from the
Atlantic. On the banks of the Mystic, within the present con-
fines of Somerville, and near the mansion of Governor John
Winthrop, was constructed and given to the waters of Massachu-
setts Bay in 1631, on a day ever to be remembered in the later
annals of American history, the Fourth of July, a bark of thirty
tons, called the "Blessing of the Bay," being the second vessel
launched in America, the Virginia, built at Popham, being un-
doubtedly the first, and it was her forests, resounding to the axe
of the sturdy yeoman, which yielded the gnarled and twisted oak,
hewn and fashioned in her shipyards into a thousand sail, which
in the arts of peace have parted the waves of every sea under the
sun, and in the smoke of conflict have carried the Stars and
Stripes to glorious victory, or to honorable defeat. It is also an
inspiration in patriotism to know that the white oak timber from
which was constructed the ribs and keel of "Old Ironsides," the
**Eagle of the Sea," which never lowered her "tattered ensign"
to any foe, was cut from the farm of Captain Unite Cox in North
Maiden, now the city of Melrose, and by him hauled with great
teams of oxen to the shipyard at Constitution wharf in Boston.
Captain Cox was a minute man who marched at the Lexington
alarm, and rendered other valuable service during the Revolu-
tion. He married Hannah Sprague, a lineal descendant of
Ralph, one of the three brothers who settled the territory of Mid-
dlesex County, and the forest from which this timber came was
identical with the land mentioned in the "Book of Possessions"
as belonging to him in 1638 at "Pond Fielde." Thus the frame-
work of this noble and historic ship was preserved and guarded
by the best blood of ancient Middlesex, and finally applied to a
providential career of heroic service. It is the priceless record of
this peerless county, that in every crisis of the nation's history
men of Middlesex have sprung to arms and freely shed their
blood to defend that legacy of liberty bequeathed by those who
fell at Lexington and Concord, or to extend its protecting aegis
to souls bowed down in lands beyond the seas.
By the infinite wisdom of Almighty God, such men as this
Spragues, Winthrop, Dudley, Danforth, Gookin, Green, and
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5C ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
Others of their company were directed to these rugged and in-
hospitable shores to erect in Ancient Middlesex, through the ut-
most extremity of faith and of long-suffering, a Commonwealth,
wherein the life that led to rigid purity in thought and action was
the essential element. Should we wonder, then, that they
adopted as the groundwork of civil policy that **none should be
admitted to the freedom of the body politick but such as were
church members"? This declaration, in the light of the twen-
tieth century, is freely denounced as narrow-minded and bigoted.
Let us remember, however, that they were a deeply religious,
quaint, and peculiar people, austere and inflexible in many ways,
as shown in the severity which characterized their punishment of
crime, it being a matter of history that as late as the eighteenth day
of September, 175.5, by order of the authorities, a woman was
burned at the stake in public on the Town Common in Cam-
bridge, in punishment of an atrocious crime, while her paramour
was gibbeted within a few yards of the wretched creature. A
century earlier, through uncouth behavior and intemperate
speech, the Quakers invited, and possibly merited, a portion of
the punishment which they received, some of their women even
glorifying in the shame and pain of the lash applied by order of
the court to the "naked body** as -they were passed along from
constable to constable through Cambridge, Watertown, and
Dedham, beyond the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth. (See
court records of Middlesex County, October (5, 1()G3, Elizabeth
Howton.) Notwithstanding all this, they were neither visionary
nor fanatical, but law-abiding, logical, courageous, honest, and
faithful. The harshness of their methods in the administration
of corporal punishment they justified under the Mosaic law,
wherein "the way of the transgressor is hard.'' They endeavored
to pattern their humble lives after the example of Him who died
on Calvary, and the foundations of their law rested upon the
divine message which thundered from Sinai. John Quincy
Adams, the sixth President of the United States, once said: "I
would rather have one drop of Puritan blood in my veins than all
the blood that ever flowed in the veins of kings and princes."
As time moves on, the sublime work of these pious and un-
daunted souls shines forth in ever-increasing lustre, while the
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
57
name of 'Turitan/' originally applied to dissenters from the es-
tablished church as a term of scornful derision, is eagerly adopted
by such as can trace their lineage back to the early fathers, as the
proudest symbol which can emblazon the family escutcheon.
**Those only deserve to be remembered by posterity who treasure
up the history of their ancestors/'
RMNS or THK. VIAIUCT OVER SHAWSHKKN RIVKR— M IDDLKSKX CANAL, 1?J.-..
It is by the right of ancient settlement that Middlesex
County may, if in no other way, lay claim to a date preceding its
legal act of incorporation.
At the date of its incorporation, 1643, Middlesex County
contained Charlcstown, Cambridge, Watertown, Sudbury, Con-
cord, Woburn, Medford, and Linn Village, afterwards Reading,
lentil l^>bruary ?0, 1819, the administration of county affairs was
vested in the Circuit Court of Common Pleas; after that, and
until March 4, 182(), in the hands of a Chief Justice and two asso-
ciates of the Court of Sessions.
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58 ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
COMMISSIONERS OF HIGHWAYS, MIDDLE-
SEX COUNTY.
s
Under the Act of March 4, 18'2G, the Governor appointed
five persons as "Commissioners of Highways" for the term of five
years, viz.: Caleb Butler, of Groton, Chairman; Augustus
Tower, of Stow ; Abner Wheeler, of Framingham ; Benjamin F.
Varnum, of Dracut (resigned in 1831 to accept the office of
Sheriff) ; David Townsend, of Waltham.
On the twenty-sixth of February, 1828, this act was changed
to four persons, to be appointed by the Governor as "County
Commissioners." This law continued until April 8, 1835, when
it was changed so as to elect three commissioners and two spe-
cials. March 11, 1854, the present law was passed to elect one
commissioner each year, to serve three years. Under these va-
rious acts, covering a period of seventy-nine years, the follow-
ing twenty-six gentlemen have served as commissioners, viz. : —
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 69
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIDDLESEX
COUNTY, J826 TO JANUARY 1st, J905.
(Commissioners of Highways from 1826 to 1828.)
Hon. Caleb Butler, Groton, 1826 to 1841.
Hon. Augustus Tower, Stow, 1826 to 1835.
Hon. Abner Wheeler, Framingham, 1826 to 1828, and from 1831
to 1841.
Hon. Benjamin F. Varnum, Dracut, 1826 to 1831. Resigned in
1831.
Hon. David Townsend, Waltham, 1826 to 1837. Died in office.
Hon. Timothy Fletcher, Charlestown, 1837 to 1846. Resigned.
Hon. Leonard M. Parker, Shirley, 1841 to 1844.
Hon. Seth Davis, Newton, 1841 to 1844.
Hon. Josiah Adams, Framingham, 1844 to 1850.
Hon. Josiah B. French, Lowell, 1844 to 1847.
Hon. Ebenezer Barker. Charlestown, 1846 to 1853.
Hon. Joshua Swan, Lowell, 1847 to 1850.
Hon. Daniel S. Richardson, Lowell, 1850 to 1856.
Hon. Leonard Huntress, Tewksbury, 1850 to 1876.
Hon. John K. Going, Shirley, 1853 to 1860.
Hon. Paul H. Sweetser, South Reading, 1856 to 1862.
Hon. Edward J. Collins, Newton, 1860 to 1872.
Hon. Joseph H. Waitt, Maiden, 1862 to 1874.
Hon. Harrison Harwood, Natick, 1872 to 1882. Died in office.
Hon. Daniel G. Walton, Wakefield, 1874 to 1886.
Hon. J. Henry Read, Westford, 1876 to 1897.
Hon. William S. Frost, Marlboro, 1882 to 1893.
Hon. Alphonso M. Lunt, Cambridge, 1886 to 1889.
Hon. Samuel O. L^pham, Waltham, 1889 to date.
Hon. Francis Bigelow, Xatick, 1893 to date.
Hon. Levi S. Gould, Melrose, 1897 to date.
Chairmen and Time of Service.
Hon. Caleb Butler, 1826 to 1841, fifteen years.
Hon. Leonard M. Parker, September, 1841, to September, 1844, v
three years.
Hon. Josiah Adams, September, 1844, to September, 1850, six
years.
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HON. CALEB BUTLER, of Groton,
County Commissioner, 1826-1841. Chairman, 1826-1841.
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 61
Hon. Daniel S. Richardson, September, 1850, to September,
1853, and January, 1855, to January, 1856, four years.
Hon. Leonard Huntress, September, 1853, to January, 1855,
January, 1856, to January, 1860, and January, 1862, to Janu-
ary, 1876, twenty years.
Hon. Paul H. Sweetser, 1860 and 1861, two years.
Hon. Harrison Harwood, January, 1876, to August 27, 1882, six
years. Deceased.
Hon. Daniel G. Walton, September, 1882, to January, 1886, four
years.
Hon. J. Henry Read, January, 1886, to January, 1897, eleven
years.
Hon. Levi S. Gould, January, 1897, to date.
The first meeting of the "Commissioners of Highways of
Middlesex County" appears to have been holden at "Samuel
Kendall's" tavern in Cambridge, August 1, 1826, to consider a
petition for a new highway from "Alewife brook in Cambridge to
the bridge over Miller's river in Charlestown."
The first meeting of the "Board of County Commissioners,"
as constituted under the Act of February 26, 1828, was held at
Concord on the second Tuesday, being the thirteenth day of May,
1828, with Hon. Caleb Butler as Chairman. Augustus Tower.
Benjamin F. Varnum, and David Townscnd, being the remainder
of the board, were also in attendance.
Hon* Caleb Butler,
Chairman, 1826 to iMi, Inclusive*
■T^t^-^tf J^^i^
Son of Caleb and Rebekah (Frost) Butler. Born in Pelham,
N. H., September 13, 1776, and died in Groton, Mass., October
7, 1854, aged seventy-eight. The early struggles of Mr. Butler,
and the success which crowned an honorable career, are an object
lesson to the youth of New England. It should encourage them
to persistent effort in the attainment of useful knowledge against
apparently insurmountable obstacles. According to the custom
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62 ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
of pious families in those days, his parents directed his youthful
mind to the study of the Scriptures. In their lofty teachings his
faith was firmly grounded, and from their minutest precepts he
never knowingly deviated. In after life, a Greek Testament was
a constant companion for familiar reference, and on the day of
his death it was found lying by his side, with the book-mark
placed at the last chapter of Revelations. His early schooling
was to be obtained only by traveling a long distance from the
farm, at such times as he could be spared from pressing duties at
home, and was necessarily intermittent. His father was a hard-
working farmer in quite moderate circumstances, who needed the
help of his boy, and was unable to furnish financial aid to satisfy
his constant- thirst for knowledge. His only preparation for col-
lege consisted in attending the Academy of Daniel Hardy in
Pelham less than a year. This was in 1794, when eighteen years
of age. By working hard, and teaching some, all the while
studying Greek and Latin, he finally accumulated sufficient funds
to enter Dartmouth, from which he graduated in 1800, deliver-
ing the salutatory oration in Latin, which was the highest honor
conferred by the faculty at that time. In his Junior year he
joined the college society of "Social Friends," and wrote a drama
in three acts, entitled "Triumph of Infidelity Over Supersti-
tion." It was successfully performed August 2(5, 1799, by mem-
bers of the society. Mr. Butler assuming the role of the Cardinal.
Remaining in Hanover a year as tutor of an Indian school at-
tached to the college, he was next employed by Isaiah Thomas,
of Worcester, to correct the proofs of a Greek grammar he was
publishing. He was appointed preceptor of Groton, now Law-
rence, Academy in 1802. ITiis position was congenial to his
tastes and talent, and he soon advanced to the highest rank
among the instructors of his period, serving until 1815, when he
abandoned the profession of teaching and studied law with Hon.
Luther Lawrence, of Groton. He had no desire for court prac-
tice, but confined his legal employment principally to office work.
He also became famous as a surveyor, and was relied upon in all
difficult problems in those lines. His familiarity with the high-
ways of Middlesex, upon the construction and improvement of
which he was an authority, undoubtedly contributed to his selec-
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 63
tion by the Governor, in 1826, as Chairman of the first Board of
Highway Commissioners of this county.
He was much interested in the Masonic fraternity, and up-
held the faith during the dark days of the anti-Masonic crusade.
He held the position of W. M. of Saint Paul's Lodge, Groton, in
1807, and was at one time High Priest of St. John's R. A. Chap-
ter. He delivered many Masonic orations from 1811 to 1816,
and was present with the fraternity when Lafayette laid the
corner-stone of Bunker Hill Monument with Masonic ceremonies
June 17, 1825, and also at its completion, June 17, 1843. He
was Grand Master of the Grand Lodge, A. F. and A. M., in 1841-
1842, having previously served as Senior Grand Warden in
1818-19, and as Deputy Grand Master from 1824 to 1826. A
lodge in Ayer bears his name. One of his favorite studies was
astronomy, and it was his delight on pleasant evenings to point
out to those interested the wonders of the starry heavens. He
also became quite an authority in forecasting the seasons, espe-
cially the weather during haying, and was consulted by the
farmers of his section with wondering faith in his predictions.
He wrote a fine history of the town of Groton. It is a
standard work, the preface to which is scholarly and instructive.
In politics he was first a Federalist, but afterwards a Whig. He
was Town Clerk of Groton, 1815 to 1817, and from 1823 to 1831 ;
Trustee of Lawrence Academy from 1807 to 1836 ; elected to the
Legislature in 1829, but declined to serve ; Postmaster for twenty
years ; Chairman of the Selectmen ; appointed by the Governor
as Chairman of the first Board of County Commissioners.* He
was widely known and respected for his sterling integrity, moral
independence, courage, simplicity, and modesty. He was
famous, also, as a critical scholar, and for the energy and wealth
of his intellect. It has been trulv said of him that if his ambition
*The venerable ex-Governor George S. Boiitwell, a contemporary,
in his recently-published "Sixty Years of Public Life," says that the
politics of Mr. Butler, being a Whig, caused him to lose both the office
of "Postmaster and that of County Commissioner." It is related of the
latter that when the news came that his fellow-townsman, Mr. Boutwell
(a Democrat), was elected Governor in 1851 as a "fusionist," he ex-
claimed, "God save the Commonwealth of Massachusetts!" Political
animosities were strong in those days. — [Ed.
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HON. AUGUSTUS TOWER, of Stow.
County Commissioner, 1826-1835.
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. G5
had equalled his modesty, he would have become eminent. His
mental qualities were not clouded at the approach of age, but re-
mained bright and clear to the last. Pie delighted in literature
and the classics as of old, and during his last years read the
works of Virgil and Horace in the original. One of the most in-
teresting events of his long and honorable career occurred at the
jubilee of Lawrence Academy July 12, 1854, a few weeks before
his death. At this celebration there was assembled a notable
gathering. Among others of his pupils who were present were
Hon. Abbott Lawrence, formerly Ambassador to England, Hon.
Amos Kendall, formerly Postmaster-General, Hon. Joel Parker,
LL.D., Rev. Andrew Bigelow, D. D., Rev. James Walker, D. D.,
President of Harvard College, and Hon. John P. Bigelow. Hon.
Abbott Lawrence, in a beautiful tribute, said : "He was my only
preceptor, and I thank God that he is able to be w^th us to-day
at the age of seventy-eight. A sweet aroma hangs about his
name, in his love of truth and justice, in his integrity of character
in all relations of life, which I doubt not will endure long after
he and aH of us shall have passed away."
Such was the character and such the abilities of the first
Chairman of the County Commissioners of Middlesex County.
In intellectual attainments, it is no disparagement to others to
say that his equal has never yet appeared upon the board.
Hon. Augustus Tower.
Son of Benjamin and Anna (Vose) Tower. Born in Sud-
bury June 25, 1707, died in Stow on Independence Day, 183S,
aged seventy-one. He was a descendant in the sixth generation
from John and Margaret (Ibrook) Tower, who came from Eng-
land, and were inhabitants of Hingham as early as 1()37. His
father, Benjamin Tower, was a soldier in the old French war,
serving in Captain Thomas Williams' company in IToG; in Cap-
tain Josiah Richardson's company in 1T57, and in Captain
Nicholas Dakin's company in 1758; he was also a soldier in the
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HON. ABNER WHEELER, of Framingham,
County Commissioner, 1826-1828, and 1831-1841.
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 67
War of the Revolution, and was granted a pension March 4,
1789. When the battle of Lexin^on occurred, the subject of
this sketch, Augustus, was not quite eight years of age. Emu-
lating the patriotism and courage of his father, he enlisted in
March, 1782, for three years in Captain Coburn^s company at-
tached to the Seventh Massachusetts regiment. Colonel John
Brooks, and served at Fishkill, Newburgh, West Point, and at
New York after its evacuation by the British. At the time of his
enlistment, this valiant and youthful patriot was less than fifteen
years of age. For service in the War of the Revolution, he was
granted a pension January 5, 1833, which was continued to his
widow, Polly (Leathe) Tower, after his death. As early as 1799,
he was a Selectman and Assessor of the town of Stow, to which
offices he was repeatedly chosen. He was Town Qerk and
I'own Treasurer uninterruptedly from 1804 until 1826, when his
son, Charles Tower, succeeded him. He was a member of the
House of Representatives in 1809-10 11-12-13-14-15-19-20-21-
22-23, and 1826, and a Presidential Elector in 1824. In 1826 he
was appointed by the Governor as one of the first Board of
Highway Commissioners for Middlesex County. In 1828 he
was appointed a member of the first Board of County Commis-
sioner^ of Middlesex County, upon which he ser\^ed until 1835,
and was a magistrate for the county during seven years. He was
a carpenter by trade, and had a small farm. The present town
clerk of Stow has in his possession a map of Stow which was
made by Mr. Tower in 1830, showing that he possessed talent
and skill as a surveyor, in addition to other accomplishments.
As a soldier and civilian, old Middlesex can produce no better
example of the typical yeoman than Augustus Tower.
Hon. Abncr Whcclcr.
^^^^w^^^
Son of Abner and Elizabeth (Brooks-Hunt) Wheeler. Born
in Lincoln, 1772, died in Framingham October 11, 1843, aged
seventy-one. He was a carpenter by trade, and for quite a long
time was a tavern keeper in Framingham Centre. He was a
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HON. BENJAMIN F. VARNUM. of Dracut.
County Commissioner, 1826-1831. Resigned.
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 69
very active and energetic business man, and was one of the pro-
prietors of the Boston and Worcester turnpike. He also assisted
in the building of the Saxonville mills, in which he was interested
at the time of his death. He was a ReprevSentative to the General
Court in 1814, and Selectman from 1809 to 1816. He was one
of the first board of County Commissioners of Middlesex County,
serving from 1826 to 1828 as a Commissioner of Highways, and
from 1831 to 1842 as a County Commissioner.
Hon* Benjamin Franklin Vamum^
Resigned in 1831 to accept position of Higfh Sheriff*
^."^.A
Born in Dracut in 1795, died January 11, 1841, aged forty-
six. Son of the distinguished Revolutionary patriot and states-
man, Major-General Joseph Bradley Vamum, who was speaker
of the lower house of Congress, 1807 to 1811, and President pro
tem of the United States Senate, 1813. He was also commis-
sioned, February 12, 1794, by Lieutenant-Governor Samuel
Adams as High Sheriff of Middlesex County, but declined the
office. The subject of this sketch was a Representative to the
General Court in 1824 to 1825, and a Senator from Middlesex
County in 182(5-1827-1828-1829 and 1830. One of the first
board of Highway Commissioners, and one of the first board of
County Commissioners until 1831, when he resigned to accept
the position of High Sheriff of Middlesex County, which posi-
tion he honored during two terms of five years each, dying in
office at the early age of forty-six, and at the very threshold of a
career which promised to equal that of his illustrious father. He
had announced to his friends a purpose to retire from the
shrievalty at the end of his term to seek higher honors for whidi
his discretion, ability, and popularity eminently fitted him. For
his careful and discreet management of the duties of his office
during the Ursuline Convent disturbances, he received the
thanks of the Governor of the Commonwealth. He was cour-
teous and affable, and a splendid specimen of manly grace. His
death was universally regretted.
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HON. DAVID TOWNSEND, of Waltham,
County Commissioner, 1826-1837. Died in office.
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 71
G)L David Townscnd, Jr»
Died in Office*
C^c^-<^c^ ya<
C^-<^^CC ^a^CA.t>i^dLa^<gaC.
Son of Cornet David and Sarah (Jennison) Townsend.
Born in Waltham June 'I, 1777, died there January 5, 1837, a^ed
sixty. After passing through the district schools of his native
town, he learned the trade of a cabinet-maker, at which he
worked for a time in Boston, where he became interested in mili-
tary matters, and, on returning to Waltham, was appointed as
Colonel of the First regiment, Massachusetts militia. He was a
Justice of the Peace, and a member of the Board of Selectmen
eleven years between 18()!;3 and 1818. His father, Cornet David,
bought the "Bird" tavern^ which his son carried on for many
years. If ability and popularity are to be gauged by extended
service in the Legislature, then Colonel Townsend must have
been the personification of virtue, both social and political, for
the people of Waltham honored him by elections to the House
of Representatives in 1809-10-ll-12-l'5-14-15-16-17-20-24-2()-27
and 1831, making a total of fourteen years. He also served as a
member of the Constitutional Convention of 1820. It will be
seen that he commenced his career in the Legislature at the same
time as did his afterward associate upon the board of County
Commissioners, Hon. Augustus Tower, of Stow, who served
therein thirteen years, being one year less than Colonel Town-
send. As the genial colonel was a tavern keeper, however, it is
fair to assume that the character of his public entertainment for
"man and beast'' might account for his finishing a lap ahead of
his more rustic associate. He was appointed by the Governor
upon the first board of Highway Commissioners in 1826, and
upon the first board of County Commissioners in 1828, serving
until his death in 1837, which occurred while yet in office, and
was deeply regretted by the entire community.
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HON. TIMOTHY FLETCHER, op Charlestown,
County Commissioner, 1837-1846. Resigned.
i
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 73
Hon* Timothy Fletcher*
Born in Groton November 28, 1795, died in Qiarlestown
August 28, 1878, aged eighty-three. Son of Peletiah and Sally
(Woodward) Fletcher. In early life he became a resident <^i
Charlestown, where he passed the remainder of a lengthy, active,
and honorable career. At different times he was engaged in the
lumber and leather business, from which he retired many years
before his death. In politics he was a lifelong Democrat, and
was honored by his fellow citizens with many offices of trust and
responsibility. He was a Selectman of the town, and, after
Charlestown became a city, served as an alderman in 1848 and
1849. He was a member of the House of Representatives in
18;M-35-3()-37-41 and 1842. - He was a County Commissioner
from 1837 to 184(5, having been first elected to succeed Hon.
David Townsend, deceased. He was chosen chairman of the
board in 1841, but declined to serve. A careful examination fails
to reveal any minutes of his resignation upon the Commissioners'
records, but in 184(), before the expiration of his term of office,
ii is found that Hon. Ebenezer Barker, also of Charlestown, was
apparently elected as his successor, and so it is fair to assume
that he must have resigned. A firm believer in the doctrine of
**free trade and sailors' rights, " he enlisted and served in the War
of 1812. Surviving until beyond the limit of four score years,
he was permitted to see the flag for which he fought proudly
floating at the masthead of American craft from sea to sea, and
from the islands to the ends of the earth.
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HON. LEONARD M. PARKER, of Shirley.
County Commissioner, 1841-1844. Chairman, 1841-1844.
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
Hon* Leonard Moody Parker,
Chairman September, I84I, to September, I844«
'CUi
Born in Shirley January 9, 1789, died there August 25, 1854.
aged sixty-five. Son of James and Sarah (Dickerson) Parker.
His father was a minuteman, and marched in Captain Haskell's
Shirley company at the Lexington alarm April 19, 1775. James
Parker was a descendant in the fifth generation from Captain
James Parker, an original proprietor of Groton, who was much
distinguished in early Colonial times. At fourteen years of age,
Leonard Moody commenced his preparation for college under
the instruction of Hon. Caleb Butler, at that time preceptor of
Groton Academy. It is a singular fact that he afterwards suc-
ceeded this distinguished gentleman and scholar as the second
chairman of the Middlesex County Commissioners, Mr. Butler
being the first. He graduated at Dartmouth in 1808, at the age
of nineteen, selecting the practice of law as his profession, read-
ing two years with Hon. Abijah Bigelow, M. C, of Leominster,
and one year with Hon. Levi Lincoln, of Worcester, afterwards
Governor, whose daughter he subsequently married. In 1811 he
settled in Charlestown, and at once assumed a prominent position
at the bar, politically, and otherwise. He was one of the counsel
for "Mike Martin," the noted highwayman, who was hanged for
robbing Major Bray and wife on the Medford turnpike ; this was
one of his earliest cases. On the outbreak of the War of 1812,
he was appointed Judge Advocate of Military District No. 1, and
held that position until peace was concluded. In politics, he was
first a Jeflfersonian Republican, afterwards a Jacksonian Demo-
crat. President Jackson appointed him in 1830 as Naval Officer
of the Port of Boston, a position which he held four years, and
then moved back to his native town of Shirley to pass the re-
mainder of his days in the home of his childhood. He was a
member of the House of Representatives from Charlestown in
1816-25-28 and 1829; of the Constitutional Convention in 1820;
and a member of the Senate from Middlesex County in 1818-
19-20-26-27-36-137 and 1840. He was also a memlx^r of the
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76 ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
House from Shirley in 1851, at which time he was Dean of that
body. Thus it appears that he was a member of the lower
branch five years, and of the upper branch eight years. A most
remarkable period of service, testifying to his great ability and
popularity. It is also interesting to note, in this connection, that
the people of Shirley elected him to the House of 183G while the
people of Middlesex County were electing him to the Senate of
the same year! He chose to sit in the upper branch, and re-
signed his seat in the House. He was the second chairman of
the County Commissioners, serving in that capacity from 1812
to 1845, but refused a re-election to the board. During his term
the board assumed a radical position upon the temperance ques-
tion, refusing to grant further licenses for the sale of intoxicating
liquors, on the ground that the "public good did not require such
a traffic. '^ This measure was bitterly opposed, but, being stead-
fastly maintained, soon became the settled policy of all the coun-
ties of the Commonwealth. His associates were Hon. Timothy
Fletcher, of Charlestown, who was oflfered the chairmanship of
the board, but declined in favor of Mr. Parker, and Hon. Seth
Davis, of Xewton, who was a total abstainer from the use of
strong drink, and the first person in Xcw England, prol>ably. to
form a temperance society. He died at the advanced age of one
hundred and one years, as will be hereafter noted.
During the long political career of Mr. Parker, he was called
upon to perform many public duties, which required the most
careful and considerate action. Among others, he was appointed
by the State Legislature in 1825 "to prepare a system for the es-
tablishment of a seminary for the education of the working
classes in the practical arts and sciences.'' The same year he
was one of the Commissioners who settled the long-contested
boundary line question between Massachusetts and Connecticut.
In 1830 he was a Commissioner appointed by the Legislature to
examine into the condition of the banks of the County of Suffolk.
In 1824 he was Chairman of the State Committee of the Repub-
lican party which supported Hon. William H. Crawford for the
presidency, but ever after, as heretofore stated, he was a Jack-
sonian Democrat. In legislative matters he was an indefatigable
worker, and originated many changes in the laws which have
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ANCIEXT MIDDLESEX. 77
proved valuable. It was his principle to oppose all manner of
legislation which enriched corix)rations and individuals at the
expense of the people.
It was largely through his watchful care that millions were
saved to the educational institutions of the Commonwealth, in
the uncompromising opposition which was organized against a
proposition to sell the state's interest in the public lands of Maine
for the paltry sum of $150,000. In 182()-27 and 18^<>8 he was
Chairman of the joint standing committee on Roads and Rail-
ways. The resolves which he reported foreshadowed the build-
ing of the Boston & Providence and the Boston & x\lbany rail-
roads, which he stoutly maintained ought to be done by the state,
as they **would prove a source of profit, and not a burden."
Think of the millions which might have been saved to the people
had his advice been heeded. Ever alert in the interest of his
constituents, he was the principal factor in the legislation which
finally freed the bridges between Boston and Charlestown, win-
ning against the inveterate opposition of those monopolies which
had set up and were determined to maintain a toll-gate against
posterity. Defeated the first year by a veto from his father-in-
law% Governor Lincoln, he was not cast down, but the next year
fought it out to a finish. Tlie results of this victory, even after
the lapse of more than half a century, are of incalculable benefit
to the people of Boston and the suburban districts, who might
now be groaning under this unjust tribute, were it not for his
exertions. To Mr. Parker must be ascribed the authorship of
that provision in the charter of all railroad corporations which
permits the Commonwealth to ultimately assume the manage-
ment of the road. This amendment, when first introduced by
him. met with the most determined opposition, but finally pre-
vailed. Mr. Parker was one of the first, if not the very first, to
agitate the slavery question before a legislative assembly, being
chairman of a committee of the Massachusetts Senate which re-
ported a series of resolutions, February 22, 18:^7, calling upon
Congress in the most solemn manner to **abolish slavery within
the District of Columbia," which, it was claimed, they had a con-
stitutional right to do.
The foregoing is but a brief synopsis of the work accom-
plished by this industrious and distinguished public servant, who
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HON. SETH DAVIS, of Newton.
County Commissioner, 1841-1844. Died at age of 101.
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ANCIENT MIDDLESKX. 79
appears to have been a man of absolute sincerity, of remarkable
independence, of much more than ordinary ability, and whose
aim in life seemed to be "to do good and to prevent harm." He
had a brother, Daniel, who graduated at Dartmouth in 1801, who
was so greatly distinguished as Judge Advocate of the Third
Division of Massachusetts militia during the War of 1812 as to
attract the attention of President Madison, who appointed him as
Inspector-General of the Army of the United States, with the
rank of Brigadier- General. He died in 1848, and was buried in
the Congressional burying ground in Washington.
Leonard Moody Parker died in Shirley, and was buried in
Worcester by the side of Martha Lincoln, his wife.
Hon. Seth Davis.
Son of Timothy and Betsey (Flagg) Davis. Born in Ashby,
Mass., September '^, 1787, died in Xevvton, 1888, aged one hun- •
dred and one. He was the son of Timothy Davis, a Revolu-
tionary soldier, and in some respects was one of the most re-
markable men of his generation. In 171)9, at the tender age of
twelve, he was apprenticed for the term of one year to a West
Townsend miller, and was given charge of a saw-mill, grist-mill,
and cabinet shop! In 180'^, when fifteen years of age, he came
to seek his fortune in West Newton, at that time a sparsely set-
tled place of half a dozen families, with twenty-five cents in his
pocket, and all his other worldly possessions tied up in a ban-
danna handkerchief. Here he found a job, and worked four
years for six dollars a month, and ever after remained an active,
energetic factor in the life of the community until past the cen-
tury mark, without having suflfered a day of sickness. It is well
to note that he was a total abstainer from the use of both liquor
and tobacco. He was in school, all told, but twenty months, and
yet he became a noted teacher, establishing a famous private
school in 1817, which he taught with great success for nearly
forty years. From 1807 to 1817 he taught in Mason, N. H.,
Townsend, Ashby, Newton, and Watertown, where he also had
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80 ANCTEXT MIDDLESEX.
charge of Seth Bemis' cotton facton-. He wrote an arithmetic
which was adopted by Newton. He was the first to introduce
maps and the study of geography ; also of geometry and the cus-
tom of declaiming in the public schools of Xewton. The town,
however, solemnly declared that declamation was **demoralizing
ill effect and could not be tolerated !" With twenty-seven others,
he founded in 1826 what was probably the first temperance
organization in New England. He was clerk and treasurer of
the First Baptist Church of Xewton for thirty vears. His thirst
for knowledge was said by himself to have been aroused by read-
ing the tales of "Robinson Crusoe.'' Among his scholars were
many men who became famous; of such, Governor Alexander
H. Rice was conspicuous. He was a lecturer of ability; was
also a Trial Justice and County Commissioner, 1842 to 1845.
He had a great fondness for shade trees, and many of the finest
elms in West Xewton were set out by his hands. He is said to
have planted more than a thousand. On the third of September,
1^87, the city government of Xewton observed the centennial
'birthday of this grand old man with much ceremony. Addresses
were made by the Mayor and many former pupils. Rev. Dr. S.
V. Smith, author of **America/' recited an original ode, from
which is extracted the following stanza : —
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 81
"Friend of our early youth and riper age,
The citizen, the pa/triot, and the sage,
Blessed with an eye to see, a hand to do,
A heart to throb, a soul both large and true,
Man of the present, treasury of the past.
How has thy life been honored to the last !
Of old traditions, thou a matchless store,
A walking volume of historic lore ;
Lover of nature in its varied moods,
Its brooks and flowers, its fields and leafy woods.
A thousand trees set by thy loving care,
Attest thy taste and toil which placed them there."
A few months later this sage philosopher was gathered to his
fathers ; a most conspicuous example of that occasional product
of American institutions, the **self-made" man.
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HON. JOSIAH ADAMS, cf Framingham.
County Commissioner, 1B44-1850. Chairman, 1844-1850.
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ANCIENT MIDDLESKX. 83
Hon. Josiah Adams,
Chairman, September, 1844, to September, 1850.
t^^W^.^^^
^^-^^^^
He came from excellent stock, his father, Rev. Moses
Adams, being a graduate of Harvard, and a beloved and success-
ful minister in Acton during a long career. Josiah was born in
Acton November 3, 1781, and died in Framingham February 8,
1854, aged seventy-three. His mother's maiden name was Abi-
gail Stone. He was graduated at Harvard in 1801, and after
reading law with Tliomas Heald, Esq., settled at Framingham in
1807. where he remained during the balance of a long and event-
ful life. He descended from Henry Adams, a grantee of Brain-
tree in 1()41. In politics he was a Federalist, while the section
in which he lived was overwhelmingly Democratic, so that his
political aspirations were rarely gratified ; he was, however, a
member of the Constitutional Convention of 18*^0, a representa-
tive in 18*37, and a member of the Governor's Council in 1841.
He was also Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners
from 1844 to 1850. He was prominently identified with the
cause of education, and was a trustee of Framingham Academy
from 1820 to 1852.
In the first half of the last century a bitter and acrimonious
discussion arose between certain citizens of Concord and Acton
as to which section was entitled to the everlasting renown of the
"shot heard around the world." As a native of Acton, Mr.
Adams entered into this controversy with all the force of his
brilliant genius, often speaking and writing in behalf of the
claims of the men of Acton. In a centennial oration delivered at
Acton July 21, 1835, he said : "If the first blood was shed at Con-
cord, the men of Acton arrived to shed it." On another occa-
sion, in responding to a toast on the battle of Concord, he is said
to have stampeded the honorable chairman by giving birth to
this famous epigram: *'Mr. Chairman, it is true that Concord
furnished the field, but Acton the men !" He was widely popu-
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HON. JOSIAH B. FRENCH; of Lowell.
County Commissioner, 1844-1847.
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 85
lar, and an able lawyer. His distinguishing characteristic, how-
ever, was in the possession of an infinite fund of wit and humor,
which often convulsed the Honorable Count with its irresistible
brilliancy; indeed, it has been said by some of his contempo-
raries that this propensity for wit and sarcasm acted as a handi-
cap to prevent his rising to that eminence in his profession which
his educaition and talents justified. As one writer has said, he
continually watched for openings for his wit, and, "whenever he
saw a loose nail, drove it home.'' In this, he sometimes overshot
the mark, as in the instance of Chief Justice Shaw, who was at
one time speaking before an audience of lawyers of certain won-
derful things which had come under his observation, mentioning
an Egyptian mummy, from the case of which was taken certain
seed, which, when planted, brought forth a crop: "Of mum-
mies?" chimed in Mr. Adams! The others laughed, but the
eminent Chief Justice scowled and never forgot it.
Hon. Josiah Bowers French.
Son of Luther and Sally (Bowers) French. Born in Bil-
lerica December 13, 1791), died in Lowell August 21, 187G, aged
seventy-seven. At the age of twenty-four, he was appointed
Deputy Sheriff of Middlesex County, which he held from 1823
to 1830. Coroner of the town of Lowell, 1827; Collector of
Taxes, 1821); Assessor, 1833-34; Representative in 1836, and
again in 1862. From 1836 to 1842, a member of the Common
Council; in 1840 and 1841, Chief Engineer of the Fire Depart-
ment ; and in 1849 and 1850, Mayor of the city of Lowell. From
1831 to 1846 he conducted an extensive staging business, carry-
ing the United States mail between Boston and Montreal. The
magnitude of the staging business of Lowell in 1835 can best be
tmderstood by stating the fact that from forty to forty-five stages
left that city daily in different directions. In 1851 he was Presi-
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HON. EBENEZER BARKER, of Charlestown.
County Commissioner, 1846-1853.
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AXCIEXT MIDDLESEX. 87
dent of the Northern railroad^ and had been a successful builder
and contractor. He was energetic, sagacious, and enterprising
to a very remarkable degree, and while his educational facilities
were limited to the rude benches of a district school, he had a
fine bearing, erect and commanding, and a personal magnetism
which charmed and impressed all with whom he came in contact.
In politics he was an old-fashioned Jacksonian Democrat, and in
religion a Unitarian. He was a County Commissioner from
1S44 to lcS47.
Hon. Ebcnczcr Barker.
Born in Pembroke, Mass., September 9, 1790, died in
Charlestown January 4, 18(i8. Son of Josiah and Penelope
(Hatch) I>arker. His father was a noted ship builder, and moved
to Charlestown in 1799, and was the first Naval Constructor at
the Navy Yard. His brother, Josiah H. Harker, was also a ship
builder and Xaval Constructor of prominence. He was educated
at Rev. Thomas Waterman's school in Woburn. After gradu-
ating, he entered the counting room of Bray & Boyd, India
wharf, Boston. In 1818, as supercargo, he made a voyage to
Calcutta in the ship *'Aurora." This vessel was built by his
father, and was the largest craft hailing from this port. On his
return, he was employed as clerk at the Navy Yard, and subse-
((uently as surveyor of timber. Later he became a student with
Loammi Baldwin, Jr., the celebrated engineer, who built the dry
docks at Charlestown and Norfolk, and from that time followed
the profession of a civil engineer. He was Bridge Commis-
sioner; State Agent of the Charles-river and Warren bridges;
Representative to the Ceneral Court in 1859; Alderman of the
city of Charle.'itown, 1817, 1850, and County Commissioner seven
years, from 181() to 1853, inclusive. He w^as a man of dignified
appearance and fine physique, being about six feet in height, and
weighing two hundred and twenty-five pounds. It is said that
his resemblance to Daniel Webster was so marked as to fre-
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HON. JOSHUA SWAN, of Lowell,
County Commis5ioner, 1847-1850.
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 89
quently confound him with that distinguished statesman. His
capacity as an engineer, added to wide experience in public
aflairs, made him a valuable adviser and very efficient associate
upon the Board of County Commissioners.
Hon. Joshua Swan.
Son of Joshua and Deborah (Burbank) Swan. Born in Me-
thuen January 10, 1788, died in Lowell April -^l, 18()7, aged
seventy-nine. After passing through the district schools of hi>
native town, he was apprenticed to a carpenter, and served his
full time, moving to Waltham shortly afterward, where he went
ii.to the service of the Waltham Machine Shop, continuing in the
employment of this corporation until 1824, when he moved to
Lowell and engaged with the Lowell Machine Shop as con-
ti actor, etc., remaining with them until 1840, when he retired
from active work to the old "Moses Hale" estate, purchased by
him in 1830, farming the same during the remainder of his life,
(^n December 3, 1817, he married Olive Jones, of I^ncaster,
Mass., and raised a family which has been, and is, highly re-
spected. Joshua, Jr., was a Unitarian clergyman. Charles W.
is a physician of note in Brookline, and Albert G. a well-known
citizen of Lowell. One of his grandsons is Dr. William D.
Swan, Medical Examiner, Cambridge; a granddaughter is the
widow of ex-Governor William E. Russell, and another the
widow of Frank l>olles, who was a Harvard professor. During
the life of the Whig party, he always acted with it, becoming a
staunch Republican when that party was formed. He was a
member of Saint Ann's Episcopal church, and later of Saint
John's, in Lowell. He was President of the Mechanics' Asso-
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HON. DANIEL S. RICHARDSON, of Lowfll.
County Commissioner, 1850-1857. Chairman, 1850-1853, and 1856-1856.
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 91
ciation in 1834-35. He was a Selectman of Lowell eight out of
the ten years of its existence as a town ; was frequently elected
as Moderator; and, upon the adoption of the city charter in 1837,
he was elected a member of the Board of Aldermen. He was a
Representative in the Les^islaturcs of 1830-31 and 1839, and
again in 1844. He was a Past Master of Monitor Lodge, A. F.
and A. M., Waltham ; a member of Pentucket Lodge, Mount
Horeb, R. A. Chapter; and a charter member of Ahasuerus
Council of Lowell. He was County Commissioner from 1847 to
1850.
Hon. Daniel Samuel Richardson,
Chairman, September, 1850, to September, 1853, and Januarys
J855, to January, J857.
t&SLMlMJi' o .,C/U^4x.cc^yyi^ ^
Born in Tyn^sboro December 1, 181(), died in Lowell March
21, 1890, aged seventy-three years, four months. Son of Hon.
Daniel and Mary (Adams) Richardson. His father was a lawyer
of distinction, who served as Postmaster of Tyngsboro thirty-
five years, as Selectman, etc., several years, and represented the
town and senatorial district two years in each branch of the
Legislature. Daniel S. was a descendant of Ezekiel, who canu
to America with Governor John Winthrop in KuJO, and was of
the first company of Woburn settlers in 1040-12, having previ-
ously lived in Charlestown proper, Vv'here he was prominent.
His son, Captain Josiah, settled in Chelmsford al)out l()r)9, and
was given by the Indians, "for the love they bore him/' the land
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92 ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
at the confluence of the Concord and Merrimack, now mainly
occupied as the site of the city of Lowell. His son. Lieutenant
Josiah, lived in Chelmsford, "near the Concord river." Captain
William, next in the line of descent, settled in Pelham, N. H.,
formerly a part of Dracut, where his son. Captain Daniel, was
bom March 11, 1749. This Captain Daniel was the grandfather
of Daniel S. He served with distinction three years in the Revo-
lution, and was awarded a pension by the government. From
this, it appears that the Richardson ancestral tree sprang from
and has been principally nourished in the historic soil of an-
cient Middlesex.
The subject of this sketch graduated at Harvard in 183(i, at
the age of twenty, being among the tirst of his class. His two
brothers, Hon. William A., afterwards Secretary of the Treasury
of the United States, and Hon. George F., a leading member of
the bar, were also graduates of Harvard, and became greatly dis-
tinguished.
At the age of twenty-four, he commenced the practice of law
in Lowell, pursuing it in the same office for fifty years, few advc^-
cates being his peer. During his long career, it is said that he
argued more than three hundred cases before the Supreme Court.
To his first case. Chief Justice Shaw was an attentive listener,
and complimented the youthful advocate by remarking, **This
case has been very well argued." In lSl"^-43 and 184T he was a
Represen^tative to the General Court, and in 18()2 a member of
the Senate: in 1845 and 184G, President of the Common Coun-
cil ; and in 1848 a member of the Board of Aldermen of the city
of Lowell. He was President of the Prescott National Bank six-
teen years; President of the Lowell Manufacturing Company;
President of the \'ermont & Massachusetts railroad; of the
Lowell & Nashua railroad ; and a member of the Board of
County Commissioners from 1850 to 185(), holding the position
of Chairman for four years of his term, during which time the
Lowell jail was erected. In politics he was first a Whig, and
aftenvards a firm and consistent Republican ; in religion, a Uni-
tarian. He was a man of fine character and remarkable attain-
ments, his death creating a vacancy in society not easily filled.
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 93
We quote a couplet from his valedictory, giving advice to an
editor who was to succeed him on the Lowell Courier in 1841 : —
"Do boldly what you do, and let your page
Smile when it smiles, and when it rages, rage/'
In summing up his character, nothing better can be written
than to quote from Hon. Benjamin F. Butler, who said : '*He was
one of the few men I ever knew who apparently had no enemies.
The practice of the bar shows no more fragrant name than that
ot Daniel S. Richardson.*' It is certain that no member of the
Board of County Commissioners, either living or dead, has ap-
proached him in the wealth and power of his mind as applied to
the practice of his chosen profession.
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HON. LEONARD HUNTRESS, of Tewksbuky.
County Commissioner, 1850-1876. Chairman, 1853-1855. 1856-1860 and 1862-1876.
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 95
Hon* Leonard Huntress,
Chairman, September, 1853, to January, 1855 ; January, 1856,
to January, J860, and January, J863, to January, J 876*
Born in Rochester, N. H., November 22, 1811, died in
Tewksbiiry July 11), 1885, aged seventy four. Son of Joseph and
Sally (Chesley) Huntress. He came to Lowell in 1832, and ob-
tained employment on the Lowell Mercury, having previously
completed his a]>prenticeship as a printer in Portsmouth, N. H.
He established the Lowell Courier in l<s:5r), and continued to pub-
lish it until 1842, when, on account of ncor health, he retired to
a farm in Tewksbury and remained a resident there until the date
of his death, a period of forty-three years. During this extended
residence, he was fifty-three times elected as Moderator of the
meetings of that town, nineteen of which, were annual meetings.
He was also Chairman of the IJoard of Selectmen, and held many
more positions of trust and honor conferred by his fellow citizens.
In 184() he was a member of the House of Representatives from
Lowell. In 18.50 he was elected as a County Commissioner of
Middlesex Coimty, serving as Chairman of the l)Oard most of the
time during the remarkable period of twenty-six years. In this
responsible office he was an authority upon county practice, and
served to the very general satisfaction of the people of this
county. A courteous, commanding, genial, and hospitable
Christian gentleman, of that type of the old school which is not
too common in these latter days, he left a record of clean,
lengthy, and most efficient public service which few may equal,
and possibly none surpass.
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HON. JOHN K. GOING, of Shirley.
County Commissioner. 1853-1860.
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 97
Hon* John Kendall Going, Jr.
^ cf
Born at Shirley December 4, 1810, died there December 20,
1866, aged fifty-six. Son of John Kendall and Mary (Flagg)
Going. His parents were humble, unpretentious farming peo-
ple, who sent their boy to the district school, where, accord-
ing to his own statement, he was taught only to read, write, spell,
and cipher. The bent of his youthful mind is best illustrated by
the following incident, as related by his son : When about four-
teen years old, his parents gave him a lamb. This lamb he raised
to a sheep, and finally exchanged it for a calf; the calf, when it
came to maturity, was swapped for an old horse and a cheap har-
ness. Borrowing a wagon, the young man loaded it with
produce from the farm, and drove it fifty miles to Boston, where
it was disposed of at a good figure. This was his first business
venture, and foreshadowed his success later on as a hop merchant
and financier. He held a commanding position in Shirley, and
from time to time received various official honors at the hands of
his fellow citizens. In 1845-48-49 and 1852 he was on the
l>oard of Selectmen, and in 1846 a Representative to the Legis-
lature. In 1853 he was elected a County Commissioner, and
served until 1860, during which time the Lowell jail was built.
He was the architect of his own fortune, w^hich, by untiring zeal
and indefatigable industry, became very large for the times and
locality. Severe application to business undermined his health,
and brought him to the grave at an early age. Throughout his
career he maintained that dignified courtesy and affability which
distinguishes a well-balanced character, and thus was popular
with all classes, because he was as approachable by the humblest
citizen as by the richest and most powerful. He w^as liberal to
the first parish in Shirley, and left a fund to assist in its support.
A review of his successful and honorable career reveals the possi-
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HON. PAUL HART SWEETSER. of South Reading.
County Commissioner, 1856-1862. Chairman. 1860-1861.
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 99
biHties open to any New England youth of ambition and perse-
verance, no matter how humble may be his birth and early sur-
roundings.
Hon. Paul Hart Sweetser,
Chairman in I860 and iS6i.
Born in South Reading September 23, 1807, and died there
June 11, 1872, aged sixty-five. Son of Paul and Sarah (New-
hall) Sweetser, and to the *'manner born," being in the fifth gen-
eration of Reading settlers through Michael and Samuel Sweet-
ser, and in the ninth through his great-grandmother, Mary Smith,
a lineal descendant of the original Francis Smith, who settled at
Smith's Pond, now Wakefield, in 1647. Learned the shoe-
maker's trade, at which he worked during minority. At about
the age of twenty-one, he entered the South Reading Academy as
its first student. Teaching winters, he continued his studies at
the academy until he had taught in nearly every district school
in town, with such marked success that he obtained permanent
schools elsewhere, and in 1838 was appointed master of the Har-
vard school in Charlestown, where he remained until 1847. His
discipline, method of teaching, and playful humor gave him great
popularity with his pupils, rendering his work eminently satisfac-
tory. He was prominently identified in establishing the Massa-
chusetts Teachers' Association, and its organ, the *' Massachusetts
Teacher,'* of which he was an editor during several years. The
reports of the school committee of South Reading and Wakefield
for more than twenty years, while he was a member thereof, at-
test the versatility of his pen. He was a ready and very effective
speaker, as the writer hereof can attest from personal recollection.
He was both earnest and impulsive, as well as instructive, which
always secured the attention of his hearers without wearying
tnem. Early in life he became imbued with anti-slavery senti-
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HON. EDWARD J. COLLINS, of Newton.
County Commissioner. 1860-1872.
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 101
nients, as well as with the cause of temperance. To these and
other reforms he lent the best efforts of his splendid equipment
of thought and speech. His reverence for spiritual things and
his high moral tone has come to us in scraps of poetry and hymns
of special excellence, some of which are preserved in permanent
publications. He held many offices as the gift of his fellow
townsmen, and after giving up the profession of teaching, was
twice elected as a County Commissioner of Middlesex County,
serving from 1856 to 1862. His favorite maxim was to "owe no
man" anything. In summing up his character, it is safe to say
that his personal and official acts would bear the most scrupulous
examination because they were based upon the fundamental prin-
ciples of the Golden Rule.
Hon. Edward Jackson Collins*
Son of Matthias and Hannah (Jackson) Collins. Was born
in Newton April 24, 1811, and died there July 25, 1879, aged
sixty-eight. He descended from a family of English emigrants.
Matthias Collins the first settled in Marblehead, and became
famous in public life, holding the office of High Sheriff. His
son, Matthias the second, came to Newton in 1778, and pur-
chased one hundred acres of land, upon which he lived until his
death in 1785. He left an only child, Matthias the third, father
of the subject of this sketch. His wife, Hannah Jackson, was
descended from Edward Jackson, one of the first settlers of New-
ton, and a companion of John Eliot. Sebas Jackson, his son,
was born, it is said, on the voyage from England. His son,
Colonel Ephraim Jackson, who served in the old French War,
was in the War of the Revolution, participating in several battles
previous to the terrible sufferings at Valley Forge, where he died.
He was the grandfather of Hannah Jackson, mother of Edward
J. Collins, whose education was confined to the district schools of
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HON. JOSEPH H. WAITT, of Malden,
County Commissioner, 1862-1874.
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 103
Ills native town, supplemented by a course of training at the
hands of that venerable pedagogue, Hon. Seth Davis, himself a
Commissioner of Middlesex County from 1842 to 1845, whose
wise precepts and sound principles undoubtedly laid the founda-
tions of that practical knowledge of general affairs developed by
his student later on, contributing to the accumulation of a large
fortune through the avenues of legitimate trade. In 1832, at the
age of twenty-one, he engaged in the manufacture of glue, con-
tinuing therein with great financial success until 1870, a period of
thirty-eight years. He enjoyed the confidence of his fellow-
citizens to a remarkable degree. In 1858 and 1859 he was their
Representative in the General Court. He had served as Assessor
and Selectman, and at the time of his death was Treasurer and
Collector of Taxes. He was County Commissioner of Middlesex
County, 1860 to 1872.
Mr. Collins was possessed of a warm heart, with benevolent
impulses, although to some he might have been considered as
stern and austere. He was a most sincere and successful man of
business, whose integrity was never questioned, and whose word
was never doubted.
Hon. Joseph Henry Waitt.
JL^,/?rcJ0^
Son of Aaron and Nancy (Cheever) Waitt. Was bom in
Maiden August 13, 1813, and died there, after a painful illness of
many months, June 11, 1875, aged sixty-two. For almost
twenty-five years he was in the employ of the Walworth Manu-
facturing Company, previous to which he was engaged in the sale
of books.
"Uncle Joe," or "Captain" Waitt, as he was familiarly known
a generation since, was a prominent factor in the social and po-
litical life of Maiden, and in the wider arena of county affairs,
wherein he was deservedly popular and served with general sat-
isfaction. The only office to which he aspired in his native town
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HON. HARRISON HARWOOD. of Natick,
County Commissioner, 1872-1882. Chairman, 1876-1882. Died in office.
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ANCIENT MIDDLESKX. 105
was that of Water Commissioner, to the first board of which he
was elected. In rehgious matters he was a Methodist by profes-
sion. He was prominently identified with various fraternal
organizations, Masonry being conspicuous. During many years,
and at the time of his death, he was the Marshal of Mount Ver-
non Lodge, a position for which he was peculiarly adapted. No
one who ever saw him wield the baton can forget the profound
display of humility with which he approached a commanding
officer, the deference in his salutation, or the extreme dignity of
his bearing as he proudly conducted a marching column.
Genial, whole-souled, and courteous, his death was widely
lamented, and by none more sincerely than by his brethren of
the mystic tie who sadly followed his body to the grave and de-
posited it there with courteous and knightly honors. Entering
upon the duties of his office in moderate circumstances, he con-
tinued so through twelve long years of service, and died poor, as
every honest Commissioner must die who lives as becomes his
station and depends upon his salary for support, lie was upon
this board from 18()2 to 1874.
Hon» Harrison Harwood,
Chairman^ January^ 1876, to September, 1882* Died m Office*
Pi}. PifiO/r-uj-c-^tk^
Son of George Washington and Anna (Bisco) Harwood.
r.orn in North Brookfield, Mass., October 18, 1814, died in Na-
tick August "l^i, 1882, aged sixty-eight. He came from good old
patriotic stock; his grandfather, Peter Ilarwood, born in Little-
ton in 1740, was a descendant from the Harwoods of Colonial
days. He was Lieutenant of Captain Burns' company of Brook-
field minutemen, and marched at the Lexington alarm. Joining
the Continental army in 177^, he served as Captain in Colonel
Leonard's regiment, and as Major and Brigade Major in General
Nixon's brigade, resigning October 1(J, 1780, having served five
years. He was officer of the day at the execution of Major
Andre. At Westminster Academy, the subject of this sketch had
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HON. DANIEL G. WALTON, of Wakefield,
County Commissioner, 1874-1886. Chairman, 1882-1886.
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 107
made such proficiency in his studies that he became a successful
teacher at the age of nineteen. Later on he was in business at
Adrian, Mich., for three years, returning East at the age of
twenty-five. He resided successively at Oakham, Fitchburg, and
Winchendon, where he became an active and enterprising manu-
facturer, and erected many buildings, both public and private.
Returning to Adrian, Mich., he resumed business there, but fin-
ally settled in Natick in 1858. In this town he erected and main-
tained successfully to the day of his death a factory for the manu-
facture of baseballs of the regulation pattern, and a tannery to
produce a quality of leather suitable to be used as a covering.
This enterprise proved remunerative, and gave employment to a
large number of people of both sexes, and has proved a blessing
to the town.
For his public spirit and enterprise he received the grateful
acknowledgments of his town in three successive elections to the
Board of Selectmen. Elected in 1871 upon the Board of County
Commissioners, he was re-elected three times, six years of which
he served as Chairman, holding that position at the time of his
death. During his long business career, he met at times with al-
most insurmountable difficulties and severe disappointments, but
these disciplines only served to urge him on to more persevering
effort, until success finally crowned his labors with abundant re-
wards. He was a useful and trusted public servant, made so by
gentlemanly conduct and excellent judgment, united to many of
those finer qualities of mind and heart which endeared him to a
loving family and a wide circle of friends.
Hon. Daniel Gould Walton,
Chairman, September, 1882, to January, i666.
Born, in South Reading April 25, 1824, died in Wakefield
April 7. 1898, aged seventy-four. He was the son of James and
Elizabeth (Bryant) Walton, and resided in his native town during
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HON. J. HENRY READ, of Westford,
County Commissioner, 1876-1897. Chairman. 1886-1897.
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 109
his entire life. In early life Mr. Walton was engaged in various
business enterprises which proved successful. Among others,
he was a proprietor with George Wheeler for many years of the
restaurant in the old station of the Boston & Maine railroad on
Haymarket square, Boston, where he is favorably remembered
by the '*old guard" of a generation ago. After retiring from
active business, his sagacity and uprightness won for him the
confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens to a remarkable de-
gree, and he was called upon to settle many estates, and to act in
other trust and fiduciary capacities. By careful and judicious in-
vestments, he became the largest individual owner of real estate
in the business centre of Wakefield. He married Elizabeth Jean-
nette Aborn, of South Reading, a sister of the wife of Hon.
Thomas Winship, January 14, 1852. Mr. Walton was a member
of the Golden Rule Lodge, A. F. and A. M., and was identified
with all the Masonic organizations meeting at Melrose. He was
a director in the National Bank of South Reading, of the Wake-
field and Stoneham Street Railway Company, and a trustee of
the Charlcstown Five Cent Savings Bank. He has served as Se-
lectman and Overseer of the Poor in Wakefield, and was a
County Commissioner of the County of Middlesex from 1874 to
}HS(), serving as Chairman of the board from September, 188*3, to
January, 188(5.
Hon. Joseph Henry Read,
Chairman from January^ 1886^ to January, 1897.
Born in Westford, August 5, 1835, died at Toledo, O., while
returning from a trip to the far West, January 26, 1901, aged
sixty-six. Son of Zaccheus, Jr., and Mary (Heywood) Read.
His ancestors were among the earliest settlers of Westford. He
was educated in the schools of his native town and at Westford
Academy, one of his teachers being the recent able and accom-
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110 ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
plished Register of Probate of Middlesex County, Samuel H.
Folsom, Esq. ; another was Hon. John D. Long, Secretary of the
Navy. After holding various local offices, such as Selectman
(ten years), Overseer of the Poor, School Committee (fifteen
years). Auditor, Moderator, etc., the people of his district, mostly
a farming population, recognizing in him an example of one ol
their own calling who could represent them acceptably in any
position, chose him to the General Court in 1872 and 1873. Iri
1876 he received further honors by being elected a County Com-
missioner, to which position he was constantly re-elected until
1897, a period of twenty-one years, being Chairman during the
last half of this extended term, only exceeded in point of time by
but one person in the entire history of the Commissioners, viz.,
Hon. Leonard Huntress, whom he succeeded on said board, the
combined service of these two gentlemen being forty-seven years,
a wonderful tribute from the voters of this great county to the
popularity and satisfactory public service of each. During his
public career he continued to conduct the ancestral farm in West-
ford, and made it famous for the quality of its apple vintage,
"Read's cider'' being recognized among connoisseurs as a stand-
ard brand of superior excellence. He was Director and Secretary
of the \\>stford Mutual Fire Insurance Company eighteen years,
director of the Stony Brook railroad twenty-five years, also
one of the Trustees of Westford Academy. He was a member of
the Masonic fraternity, and connected with the Lodge, Chapter,
Council. Conimandery, and Consistory in Lowell. He was a man
of kindly heart and generous impulses, with an abiding faith in
every one who professed to be a friend. His social qualities,
while adding nothing to, but extracting much from, his larder ol
worldly riches, increased the priceless value of the esteem of
those faithful and loving friends who sorrowfully followed his
mortal remains from the old church, braving the bleak and biting
blasts of a New England winter's day, and tenderly laid them to
rest near the ashes and bones of that hardy ancestry which for
more than two centuries had battled with elements from without
and with elements from within, to establish and maintain that
peace and prosperity which were his by the everlasting right of
inheritance. As the rays of the setting sun glittered upon the
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. Ill
cold and silent peaks of distant ranges, some faithful hearts there
were among that weeping company, whose visions tore aside
those frowning battlements of ice and snow, peering beyond to
catch a glimpse of God's eternal promise of living streams and
pastures green, where the weary, storm-tossed soul may rest in
everlasting peace.
Genealogy of Joseph Henry Read, of Westford*
(1) Esdras Reade, of Boston, supposed to be a son of
Matthew and Alice (Ward) Reade, of England. Esdras was a
man of importance and character. A tract of land situated at
Muddy Brook, now Brookline, was granted to him by the town
of Boston, and he also had a grant from the town of Salem,
where he was living in 1637. From Salem he went to Wenham,
and served as Representative to the General Court, 1648 to 1651.
With Rev. John Fiske and six other members of his church, he
moved to Chelmsford in 1655, subsequently (in 1661) returning
to Boston, where he died in 1680, as may be seen on his tomb-
stone in Copp's Hill burial ground.
(2) Obediah, his son, was married June 19, 1664, to Anna
Swift.
(3) Thomas, son of Obediah and Anna, lived in Chelmsford.
On February 7, 1707, he bought land lying between Tadnoc and
Stony Brooks.
(4) Thomas, son of Thomas, of Chelmsford, born July, 1665.
Married Sarah Fletcher.
(5) Joseph, born June 4, 1716. Married Ruth Underwood.
He represented Westford twenty successive years in the Legis-
lature, and was commissioned a Deputy Sheriff under the Crown
in 1746. He was a patriot, and is said to have been connected
with the famous Boston Tea Party, although his name does not
appear as an active participant on board the ships.
(6) Joshua, born December 1, 1737. Married May
Spaulding.
(7) Zaccheus, born March 8, 1773. Married Mary Parker.
(8) Zaccheus, born January 27, 1796. Married Mary Hey-
wood.
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HON. WILLIAM S. FROST, of Marlboro.
County Commissioner, 1882-1893.
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 113
(9) Joseph Henry, born August 5, 1835. Married Mary
Ann Falls.
The descendants of Esdras were apparently the first settlers
of Westford.
Hon* William Squire Frost,
A resident of Marlboro, was born at Stukely, Province of
Quebec, March 20, 1828, of New England parentage. His
father, Aaron Frost, went to the provinces from Jaffrey, N. H.,
his mother, Rosetta Knowlton, from Templeton, Mass. When
eight years of age, his parents moved to Lowell, Mass , and ho
was educated in the public schools of that city. At seventeen
years of age, he commenced his apprenticeship to the trade of a
mason, and worked at that business until 1882, the last thirty
years as contractor and builder. In 1882, at a special election,
he was elected to the Board of County Commissioners, to fill out
the unexpired term of Harrison Harwood, deceased. He was
re-elected for three full terms, making ten years and one month
in all. September IG, 1862, he was mustered into the United
States service as Second Lieutenant in Company I, Fifth Massa-
chusetts N'olunteers, for nine months, and served in North Caro-
lina, taking part in the battles of Kingston, Whitehall, and Golds-
boro. He came home with the regiment at expiration of term of
service. On the nineteenth of July, 18(U, was mustered into the
United States service as First Lieutenant of Company I, Fifth
regiment. Massachusetts \'olunteers, for one hundred days, was
stationed as Assistant Provost Marshal at Fort McHenry, Balti-
more, in charge of prisoners of all kinds, — rebels, deserters,
bounty jumpers, etc. Came home with the regiment at the ex-
piration of term of service; was Chief Engineer of the Fire De-
partment of Marlboro in 1859-G0-61.
He has served on various important town committees, prin-
cipal of which were remodeling and strengthening the Town
Hall ; Chairman of committee to investigate the introduction of
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HON. ALPHONSO M. LUNT, of Cambridge.
County Commissioner, 1886-1889.
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 115
a system of water works into the town ; and one of a committee
of five to superintend the building of the same. Chairman of
committee to procure a suitable soldiers* monument; two years
Master of United Brethren Lodge, F. and A. M.; three years
Commander of Post 43, G. A. R.; President of Fifth Regiment
Veteran Association ; a member of the Board of Assessors of
Marlboro during the past seven years, of which he is Chairman
at the present time.
Hon« Alphonso Moses Lunt.
Son of Dr. ]Moses Dole and Susan (Libby) Lunt. Born in
South Berwick, Me., September (5. 1837, and now resides in Cam-
bridge. After the customary training afforded in a district
school, he went to Portland and learned the printing business, re-
maining therein as a journeyman and proprietor both in Portland
and Boston until August. lHiy2, when he enlisted as a private in
Company F, Thirty-eighth Massachusetts Volunteers, in which
he served during the remainder of the Civil War. being mustered
out in July, \Hi\ry. His regiment was in Louisiana, and took part
in the various engagements around Port Hudson. He was also
in the Shenandoah Valley, and saw active service all along the
line. At the battle of Opequan Creek, \'a., September 19, 18G4,
Sergeant Lunt was in conmiand of the color guard, and person-
ally bore the national flag throughout the engagement. At one
time the rebel line of battle, carrying several battle flags, were
within talking distance, and although the whole of his color
guard was swept away, and for a while he stood alone amid the
dead and wounded, under a tremendous fire from ten times the
number of the Union forces, still he remained where he had been
placed by his colonel as steadily and bravely as though on parade,
encouraging and begging the men not to fall back until victory
finally resulted. During this stand of Sergeant Lunt, twenty-
two bullets penetrated the flag, and the brass lance on the top of
the staff was shot away. In 1894 he was awarded by the govcrn-
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HON. SAMUEL 0. UPHAM, of Waltham.
County Commissioner, 1889 .
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 117
nient a "Medal of Honor,*' upon which is inscribed the following:
"The Congress to Sergeant Alphonso M. Lunt, Company F, 35th
Mass. Vol's, for most distinguished conduct at the battle of
Opequan Creek, Va., Sep. 19th, 1864." He is a Past Com-
mander of Post 57, G. A. R., and served as a member of the
Board of County Commissioners from 1886 to 1889, since which
time he has been connected with the revenue and postal depart-
ment of the government.
Hon* Samuel Otis Upham*
Son of Otis and Mary (Sloan) Upham. Was born in
Waltham January 21, 1824, where he still resides. He comes
from the best Colonial stock of ancient Middlesex, being seventh
in descent from John Upham (ancestor of all of the name), who
came to Weymouth in 1635, finally settling in Maiden, where he
died in 1681. Lieutenant Phineas Upham, his son, the lineal
ancestor of the subject of this sketch, was a man of commanding
presence, being more than six feet in height, and possessing won-
derful powers of physical endurance, as well as unflinching
courage. He participated with the Fourth Massachusetts com-
pany, Captain Johnson, in that memorable march to Narragan-
sctt through the blizzards and biting blasts of midwinter, to at-
tack the "great swamp fort" of King Philip December 19, 1675,
by which the power of this mighty chieftain was crushed forever.
In this sanguinary conflict Captain Johnson was killed outright,
and the leadership of his men devolved on Lieutenant Upham.
who fought on until desperately wounded. The remnant of thi-
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HON. FRANCIS BIGELOW. of Natick.
County Commissioner, 1893 .
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 119
heroic band bore him from the field, and finally, after terrible pri-
vations, he arrived at his home only to lie down and die. To
this brave man, and such as he, are we indebted for our priceless
legacies of liberty and happiness. Samuel O. Upham attended
the common schools .of his native town, and at an early age
worked in the cotton mills of that place. In due time he was ap-
prenticed to a hatter, serving his full time, afterwards work-
ii'ig at his trade in Boston. Portland, New York, and elsewhere.
Early in life he was interested in i)olitics, and became a warm ad-
herent of his friend and fellow-townsman, Hon. Nathaniel P.
Hanks, entering into the various political contests of his chief
with all the fire and energy of an ardent and impulsive nature.
His sincerity and sterling qualities have attracted a wide circle of
acquaintances whose friendship and confidence is unlimited, as
evidenced in the universal success which has attended his politi-
cal career for more than half a century. The people of Waltham
chose him several times upon the Hoard of Selectmen, and he
served them many years as town Moderator. In 1855 he was
elected to the House of Representatives, serving again in 1887-
1S88. when he was Dean of the House. He was Messenger of
the (Governor and Council from 1858 to 1801. From 18(51 to
1S()5 he was in the Hoston Custom House, and Postmaster of the
city of Waltham from 18()1) to 188(). Since the formation of the
Republican party, he has been an ardent, firm, and consistent
supporter of its policy. He is a Past Master of Monitor Lodge,
A. V. and A. M., and a member of the Royal Arch Chapter at
Waltham. He is now serving his sixth term upon the Board of
County Commissioners, having been first elected in 1889.
Hon» Francis Bigclow*
Son of Charles and Rebecca (Babcock) Bigelow. Born in
Sherborn April 21, 1840; now resides in Natick. His opportuni-
ties for schooling, like those of most country boys, were brief, as
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120 ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
he was apprenticed to a carpenter at the age of fourteen. On
completing his term of service, he worked a while at his trade,
then drove a stage, afterwards ran an express, and finally became
a successful shoe manufacturer in Xatick, from which he retired
with a competency some years ago. His sound judgment and
business ability are fully recognized by the people of Xatick and
vicinity, as well as by those of the County of Middlesex. He has
served many years on the Hoard of Water and Sewer Commis-
sioners of the town of Xatick, and is a valuable member of the
Board of Trustees of the savings bank in that town. He was a
member of the House of Representatives in 18TJ) and 1880, and
of the Senate in 1885 and 188(). He has been a member of the
Board of County Commissioners since 1893. PVancis Bigelow is
a descendant in the seventh generation from John Biglo and
Alary Warren, whose marriage in 1G42 was the first one recorded
in Watertown. John I>iglo was a surveyor of highways in said
town from 1()52 to 1()()0, and a Selectman in 1G65-70-77. He is
mentioned in the early records as John Biglo, John Biggalough,
John Bigolo, and John Bigulah. according to the orthography of
the clerk who happened to be the recording officer.
This confusion doubtless arose from the fact that the origi-
nal John was an illiterate blacksmith, who probably could
neither read or write, as he always made his mark to documents
requiring his signature, and quite likely could not spell his name
twice alike; however, his oldest son, John, adopted the name of
Bigelow, and it has clung to the family ever since. John Biglo
served in King Philip's War, and is the common ancestor of the
American family bearing the name of Bigelow, among whom
there have been and still are men highly distinguished in
theology, the law, medicine, literature, politics, science, and art.
By his wife Mary he had thirteen children. He died July 14.
1T03, at Watertown, aged eighty-six. His estate inventoried
£(>27 12s., quite a sum for those days. Among the funeral ex-
penses paid by his estate was a bill for "twenty gallons of wine,
with allspice and sugar, and two men and horses to carry the
wine to the funeral"! Mary Warren was born in England, and
•ame to this country with her father, as some assert, in Governor
\''inthrop's party in 1630. Her father's name was John Warren,
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ANCIENT MIDDLESKX. 131
and he was recorded with one hundred and eighteen other in-
habitants of Watertown as a Freeman in 1031. He was made a
surveyor of highways in 1635, and Selectman from 1636 to 1640.
Why he came to America and brought his daughter into this wil-
derness is not apparent, but one thing seems to be estab-
lished : that he was a lineal descendant from "William the Con-
queror," King of England. Among those who fought at the
battle of Hastings, October 14, 1066, which gave the control of
England to William, Duke of Normandy, was one William de
Warren, a Norman baron, whose services were so highly valued
by "The Conqueror" that he gave him the hand of "Gundred"
and two hundred and ninety-eight English manors, with lavish
titles. Through "Burke's Peerage," and equally valuable
authorities, there seems to be no difficulty in tracing the blood of
William and Gundred through twenty generations to that
humble Puritan maiden, Mary Warren. United to that sturdy
blacksmith, she has transmitted, considerably diluted in the strug-
gles of more than eight centuries, a dash of the best blood of the
royal lines of England, Germany, France, and Italy ! Strange as
it may seem, this is not an idle tale, but a truthful incident in
genealogical research. It is introduced here solely as an episode
of interest not only to the subject of this sketch and his relatives
and friends, but to all who inherit the name of Bigelow from
John Biglo, of Watertow^n, also to such as claim the name of
Warren and carry a fraction of the blood of kings and queens as
it coursed through the veins of the original John Warren, the
father of Mary. To the casual observer, it points to the oft-
repeated maxim that "blood will tell," and thus it happens that
this combination of the fiery Italian, the mercurial Frenchman,
the phlegmatic German, the Norwegian Corsair, and the sturdy
Norman, with the plain and unpretentious Puritan, has produced
the highest type of the liberty-loving, God-fearing, American
citizen.
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HON. LEVI S. GOULD, of Melrose.
County Commissioner, 1897 . Chairman, 1897"
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 123
Hon* Levi Swanton Goulds
Chairman, January, 1897, to date.
Son of Dr. Levi and Elizal)ctli Wchh (Wliilmore) (iould.
Born in Dixmont, Me., March 27, 1S;J4. Was educated in Wil-
mington and North Mahlen, now Melrose, where he has resided
since childhood. Learned the shoemaker's trade, and worked at
the hench in early life, but subsequently became an accountant,
and finally for many years was a furniture manufacturer and
dealer in Boston, from which business he retired in 1S8J). He
was a Selectman of Melrose in iJSOi), and Chairman of the lioard
from 1881 to 18J)2. From hSC") to 18J)|) (thirty-five years) he
served as town mod^Tator continuously, to which office he wa.-
elected one hundred and eight times, which, with one hundred
and seven adjournments, made two hundred and fifteen meetings
over which he was called upon to preside during the life of the
town, and when it became a city in lOOO, he was elected the first
Mayor. He was a member of the House of Representatives in
18()8 and 18<)I). He has been upon the Hoard of County Com-
missioners since 18J)T, serving as its Chairman during the entire
period. He is President of the Melrose Co-operative Bank, and
a director of the Melrose National Bank. He was President of
the New England Furniture Exchange in 1883 and 1881, and of
the Furniture Club of Boston in 188(). He is a member of the
Massachusetts Society of Colonial Wars, the Society Sons of
the American Revolution. W. P. M. of Wyoming Lodge, A. F.
and A. M., an officer of Waverly R. A. Chapter, and a member
of Hugh de Payne's Commandery, and of the Scottish Rites.
He is Past Chancellor of Fordell Lodge, K. of P., and is con-
nected with many other societies and organizations.
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124 AXCIEXT MIDDLESEX,
He is a descendant from John Gould, the first settler of
Charlestown End, now Stoneham (1(535), and Francis Whitmore,
often mentioned as an officer and otherwise of the town of Cam-
bridge (163()), whose grave stone is in the old cemetery in Med-
ford square. Both were troopers in King Philip's War, John
Gould bearing arms until after seventy-two years of age.* Jacob
Gould, great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, with two
of his sons, were minutemen of Stoneham, and all three were in
the Concord fight. They went from the old homestead at the
head of Spot Pond, the land surrounding the same, now owned
by the Commonwealth, having been in the family during many
generations. The locality was first mentioned by Governor
Winthrop, he having visited it in 1632. Tradition has it that
one of the Goulds rode without saddle or bridle a favorite white
mare into the trenches at Bunker Hill. Before the firing began,
he turned the faithful beast loose, and she trotted safely back to
her bam in Stoneham. It is also said that he wore on that day
an old-fashioned shaggy beaver, of which he was very proud.
It was lost in the rush of the retreat. Being railed by his com-
panions, he returned over the ground, found the hat. and bore it
away in triumph, but riddled with bullets. His ancestors were
among the earliest settlers of ancient Middlesex, and were rep-
resented in every war of the Colonial and Revolutionary period.
Mary Lane, daughter of Major John Lane, of Billerica (who
fought in King Philip's, King William's, and Queen Anne*s
Wars), a direct ancestor of the subject of this sketch (through
John Whitmore, 2d, her husband), on the occasion of an Indian
raid while her father was away, shot the last savage killed in Bil-
lerica. She lived to be ninety-seven years of age. Her mother
was Susannah, a daughter of Captain John AMiipple, a noted
military man of Ipswich. Job Lane, father of Major John, was
one of the earliest settlers of Maiden. He fought in King
Philip's War. He was a carpenter, and is said to have built one
of the first buildings for Harvard College ; also the great bridge
across the Concord at Billerica. He bought the Governor
•"June 20, 1682, John Gould of Stoneham aged about lii years is
"released from all ordinary traynings." — See Fol. 40, Court Records
Middlesex County.
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
125
Winthrop farm of about 1,500 acres in Billerica (now Bedford),
and it was upon this estate that his son, Major John, lived and
died. The mother of Major John was Anna, daughter of Rev.
John Rayner, pastor of the first church in Plymouth, 1636 to
1654. Through Deacon John Whitmore, of Medford, son of
Francis the first (who served with Major Swayne against the Saco
Indians), and Rachel (Poulter), who was a daughter of Francis
Eliot, of Braintree (now Quincy), he is descended from Bennett
Eliot, of Xazing, County of Essex, Eng., who was the father of
Rev. John Eliot, the distinguished "Apostle of the Indians."
The mother of Rachel Eliot was Mary, daughter of Martin
Saunders, who came over in the ''Planter" in 1635. He was one
of the earliest settlers of Braintree ; one of the Selectmen, and
the first innholder.
Francis Eliot died January 17, 16J)T. About 1650 he be-
came a teacher * among the Praying Indians, under his elder
brother, the "Apostle."
Through Dorcas Belcher, wife of Daniel Gould, he is de-
scended from Jeremiah Belcher of Ipswich, 1635. Through his
grandmother, Hannah Hill, whose grandfather, James, married
Lois Ui)ham, he is descended from Lieutenant Phineas L'pham,
of Maiden, who was wounded in the "Great Swamp" fight at
Xarragansett against King Philip.
Homestead of Jacob Gould at Spot Pond, Stoneham. Built about 1700.
From this house he and his two sons went to the Lexington fight, April,
19. 1775.
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HON. WILLIAM PYNCHON. of Roxbury and Spkingfield.
Colonial Treasurer, 1632 1634.
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ANOIEXT MIDDLESEX. 127
Treasurers of the "Governor and Company of the
Massachusetts Bay in New England/' These
Officers probably performed the duties
of County Treasurers Previous
to I654»
George Harwood, of London, May 13, 162%
lie never came to Xew England.
Samuel Aldersey, of London, December t, 1679.
He was also elected as an Assistant, in London, October '^o,
Ki'^l), hut there is no evidence that he ever came over.
Hon* William Pynchon, of Roxbury, August 7^ J632.
He came over with Winthrop, and was an Assistant from
1(;30 to 1()3() and from 1(>4<) to Ki^O. In \{VM\ he led a colony to
Springfield and governed the same as magistrate until Mu^l. In
1()oO he wrote a book concerning ''justification/' which the
apostle Eliot denounced as heretical. Its teachings were discussed
by the General Court, the book condemned and (Ordered to be
burned. Pynchon returned to England, where he died, at Wrais-
burg, October 29, l()i;-3, aged seventy-two years.
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GOV. WILLIAM CODDINGTON, of Boston, and in 1637 of Rhodf Island.
Colonial Treasurer, 1634-1636.
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 129
Gov. William Coddingfton, of Boston, May (8, 1634.
QjJA (jj^t^c
ic::>
He came with Winthrop, and was an Assistant from 1630 to
1()3(). He emigrated to Rhode Island in 1637, where he was
active in the developme.nt of that colony, of which he was Gov-
ernor, *'on consent of the governed,'' as he was pleased to term it,
from 1640 to 1647. As might be supposed, considering his sur-
roundings, he became a Quaker towards the last of his career.
Died November 1, 1678, aged seventy-seven years.
Hon* Richard Dummer^ of Rozbury, May 26^ 1636*
CK-ic;±QmiL ^K^
Born in 1599 at Bishopstoke, Hants. He came on the
"Whale" May 24, 1632, and built a mill in Roxbury in 1633. He
was an Assistant from 1633 to 1636, and Representative from
1()40 to '45 and in 1647. With Thomas Dudley and Simon Brad-
street he held the position of a magistrate of the Inferior Court,
held at Ipswich and Newbury. He moved from Roxbury, and
spent the balance of his life in Newbury within the Parish of
Byfield, where he had an extensive plantation finely stocked, and
was rated as the richest man in the colony. He fell from Puritan
grace, however, being a follower of Ann Hutchinson. Judge
Jeremiah Dummer, a silversmith of Pioston, who sat on the bench
until 1715, was his son. His grandson, William Dummer, Act-
ing (iovcrnor of the colony, a son of Jeremiah, was the founder
of •'Dummer Academy." of I>yfield, distinguished as the earliest
in.stitution of its class in this Commonwealth. Another grand-
son, Samuel, was Sheriff of Middlesex County ; still another was
Jeremiah, one of the most brilliant men of his day. He died
December 14, 1679, aged eighty years.
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130 AXCIEXT MIDDLESEX.
Gov. Richard Bellinsrham, of Boston, May 17, 1637*
He came over in 1634, and became very prominent in public
affairs. His mansion was situated on Tremont street, nearly
opposite the northerly end of Kings Chapel burying ground. He
was Deputy Governor in l<i35, and in a heated campaign was
elected Ciovernor in KX41 by a majority of six votes over John
Winthrop. He was re-elected in 1<)*)4 and again in ir»<»r). In
\W\: he was Major-General . He appears to have served thirteen
years as Deputy Governor and ten years as Governor, dying in
the latter office December 7. H)T*2. aged eighty years.
Captain William Tyngf, of Boston, May J3, t640»
Came on the ship Nicholas in 1()38. He was a very promi-
nent and wealthy merchant of lioston, whose mansion house and
gardens occupied the present site of Adams Square, and its imme-
diate vicinity. He was Selectman from 1()39 to 1()44 and Repre-
sentative in l(>:}J)-4()-41-42-43 and UT. He was again elected to
represent the town of liraintree in l<»41>-:)() and '51. He died
January 18, li'u^l.
Hon* Richard Russell, of Charlestown, November 13, t644.
He was born in Hereford, England, in 1011, and came over
in 1(540. Like his predecessor in office he became a very success-
ful nicrcliant. whose position and character was of the highest
order. He was First Lieutenant of A. H. A. Company, Speaker
of the House of Representatives in ir)4;-48-54-r)(; and '58. and an
Assistant from \K\:>Ss to IGTr,. He died May 15, 1077, aged
sixtv-six vcars.
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 131
TREASURERS OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY
SINCE 1654.
Hon. Thomas Danforth^ of Cambridsfet f654 to i657 (3 years).
He was one of the wealthiest and most influential men in the
colony. His official career, which was varied and covered many
years, is detailed among the '*Clerks of Court.'* He was a co-
worker with the **Apostle*' Eliot among the Indians.
Edward Goffe, of Cambrids:e» J657 to J658 (J year).
He landed in America in 1(»35, having been shipwrecked in
a previous voyage in l(i34. He settled in Cambridge, where he
became wealthy and influential. His estate was a fine one of
about thirty acres in the heart of the town. Between 1(>3() and
1(>55 Re was Selectman sixteen years. He was Representative in
1(546-47-48-49 and 50. He died in the office of Treasurer Octo-
ber 2(), 1G58.
John Stedman^ of Cambridsftt t65& to f683 (25 years).
^^^•^
Born in England in KJOl. He came over in 1638 as steward
to Rev. Jose Glover, who died during the passage. After serv-
ing a while with the widow Glover, who afterwards married Henry
Dunster, the first president of Harvard College, he establislied
himself in business on the present corner of Mount Auburn
street and Brattle square. Having been granted by the town a
monopoly in the sale of furs, he prospered greatly for half a cen-
tury and became wealthy. He was Selectman sixteen years, be-
tween 1640 and 16T6, and was an Ensign in 1645. He lived to
the ripe old age of ninety-two years, dying December 16, 1693,
honored and respected.
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132 ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
Samuel Andrew, of Cambridg:e, 1683 to 1700 (17 yean).
Born in 1(>21. In early life he was a ship-master of recog-
nized ability, manifested in his selection by Harvard College as
an expert to settle some disputed questions in navigation. He
was a Constable in \iM\i\, a position of great importance in those
days; Selectman, l(i81 to 1G93: Town Clerk, l(i82 to 1693, and
Town Treasurer, 1()94 to l(i09. An influential public servant.
He died, highly respected, June '21, 1701, aged eighty years.
Hon. James Russell, of Charlestown, 1700 to J709 (9 Years).
Born October 4, KUO. Son of Hon. Richard Russell, Col-
onial Treasurer. He was an Assistant from 1080 to 108() ; a Rep-
resentative to the General Court : one of the Council, and a Judge
of the Inferior Court from December T, l<)0->, to April 28, 1709.
He died in the office of Treasurer April 28, 1709, aged sixty-nine
vears.
Daniel RusseU, of Charlestown, 1709 to J763 (54 Years).
Born December 1, 1085. Son of Hon. James Russell, whom
he succeeded in the office of Treasurer, remaining in said office
until the date of his death, covering a period of more than half
a century. He was "Provincial Commissioner of Imposts." and
a member of the Council for twenty years. He died December G,
1 7<J3, aged seventy-eight years.
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ANCIENT MIDDLKSKX. 133
Hon. James Russell, of Charlestown, 1763 to 1776 (J3 Years).
cfc
Horn August 5, 1715. He was the son of Hon. Daniel Rus-
sell, his predecessor in office, thus completing an unbroken line
of family service in this office, through his father and grand-
father, of seventy-six years. He was a Representative in the
(ieneral Court from 174(5 to 1759, and afterwards a member of
the Council. He was appointed Judge of the Inferior Court May
17, 1771, and sat on the bench until the outbreak of the Revolu-
tion. At various times he lived in Dunstable, Lincoln, and
Charlestown, dying in the latter place in 1798, aged eighty-three.
David Cheever, of Charlestown, 1776 to 1778 (2 Years).
Horn June 1, 1722. A distiller and prominent member of
the First Church. He was a Selectman from 17G1 to 1768; one
of the "Committee of Correspondence'' November 27, 1773 ; dele-
gate to the Provincial Congress 1774-75 and '76; a Representa-
to the (leneral Court at Watertown, and a Justice of the Court of
Common Pleas of Middlesex from May 3, 1776, to September,
1778. In 1778 he moved to Boston, when the General Court de-
clared the office of Treasurer vacant, through his removal, and
ordered a special election to fill the vacancy. As an ardent and
active patriot he took a prominent part in the proceedings which
brought about the Revolution, it being a matter of record that
he was elected Moderator of a meeting which assembled at the
Old South meeting house, December 14, 1773, to take action con-
cerning the tea, and he was also one of a committee appointed to
obtain from the collector a clearance for the tea ships. At the
battle of Bunker Hill, the British destroyed his mansion house,
cooper's shop and distillery, amounting in the aggregate to
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134 AXCIEXT MIDDLESEX.
£2,17G sterling. His wife died in Dorchester, October, 1811, and
he appears to have been Hving at that time, but when administra-
tion upon her estate was appHed for in 1815 he was represented to
be deceased. He was one of the founders of American Liberty
who suffered for the cause. At the time of his death he was up-
wards of ninety years of age.
Adj. Gen* Ebenezer Bridsre, of Chelmsford, i77& to 1807 (29
yearsX
iS^^^§^Zi
Born there April '^D, 1744. He was the son of Rev. Eben-
ezer Bridge, a distinguished minister of that town, and was grad-
uated at Harvard in 1T()4. After leaving college, he taught
school in Worcester for several terms, and finally became a dealer
in "East and West India goods" in Billerica. In 1T75 he was
chosen Colonel of the Twenty-seventh Regiment of Minutemen.
This regiment participated in the battle of Bunker Hill, where he
was wounded. He was also the first Adjutant-General of this
Commonwealth, having been appointed under the first Act for
the government of the Militia, approved March 3, 1781. His
appointment fixed him at that time as a citizen of Chelmsford.
He was Register of Deeds from 1770 to 1781, and Senator from
1781 to 1800. Why he did not remain in the miUtary service in
the field is probably explained from the fact that the manage-
ment of his command at Bunker Hill was a subject of sharp crit-
icism, although an honorable wound received in battle would
seem to set aside any question of personal valor. That the people
believed in him is evident, through thirty-one years of constant
public service, .\fter a painful and lingering illness, he passed
away at Hardwick, X. Y., February 9, 1814, aged seventy years.
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 135
HomJohnLcigfhton Tuttlcof Concord, J807 to 1813(6 ycarsX
Born in Littleton, Mass., February 10. ITT-t. Educated at
New Ipswich Academy, and fitted for college by Mr. Willard, the
minister at Boxboro. A graduate of Harvard, class of ITDO.
After studying law with Hon. Timothy Bigelow, of Groton, and
Hon. Simeon Strong, of Amherst, he settled in Concord, in 1800,
where he gained a brilliant reputation at the bar. He resigned
from the Senate, of which he w^as a member from 1808 to 1813,
to accept a commission as Lieutenant-Colonel, commanding the
Ninth Regiment, Continental Infantry, in the war of 1812. He
died suddenly at Sacketts Falls, N. Y., July 23, 1813, at the age
of thirty-nine years. It is supposed that he was poisoned by
miscreants who hoped to obtain a large sum of money belonging
to the United States, thought to be in his possession. When the
United States government sued the executor of his estate to re-
cover for the money missing, Hon. Samuel Hoar set up as a
defense that Colonel Tuttle was robbed and murdered, which the
verdict of the jury sustained. While his death was not as heroic
as though he had fallen 6n the field of battle, still his life was
sacrificed in the service of his country. He was Worshipful
Master of Corinthian Lodge, A. F. and A. M., of Concord in
1807 and '08.
Hon* John Kcyes, of Concord, J8I3 to J837 (24 years)*
tirf^O^
He was born in Westford March 24, 1787, and graduated at
Dartmouth in 1809. He rode on horseback from his home to
Hanover, N. H., and then sold his horse to obtain the money with
which to pay his board and tuition. He graduated second in a
class of which the distinguished lawyer and statesman, Levi
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JOHN KEYES. of Concord
County Treasurer 1313 to 1837.
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ANCIENT MIDDLKSKX. 137
Woodbury, was the first scholar. He studied law with Jolin Ab-
bott, of Westford, who was afterwards noted as Grand Master of
Masons in the dark days of 1834. He was Postmaster of Con-
cord from 1812 to 1837; a member of the Constitutional Conven-
tion of 1820; a Representative in 1821 and 1822; a Senator from
1823 to 182D, also again in the House as Representative from
1832 to 1833, and in 1835 serving as speaker pro-tem during most
of the session. While his public service was lengthy and distin-
guished, he suffered materially in his political relations through
the unreasonable calumny which assailed all faithful members of
the "craft" during the crusades of the anti-Masonic period, losing
the office of Treasurer, after twenty-four years of faithful service,
to the anti-Masonic candidate. He served as Junior Grand
Warden of the Grand Lodge from 1824 to 182(5, and Senior
Grand Warden in 1827 and 1828. He was a man of sterling in-
tegrity, of dignified presence, and excellent business judgment,
the latter being evident in the size of his estate, which was one of
the largest ever administered upon in Middlesex County up to
that date. He was a Director in the Concord Hank and in the
Mill Dam Corporation, a Trustee of the Middlesex Savings In-
stitution, and President of the Middlesex Mutual Fire Insurance
Company. He died August 29, 1844, aged fifty-seven years.
Stedman Battrick, of Concord, 1837 to 1855 (18 Years).
Born there September Ki, UOd. He was a member of the
lUittrick family renowned for patriotism in the Revolutionary
period. He was a Selectman several years and Town Clerk from
1842 to 1851, and represented the town of Concord in 183(5-37-38
and \3J) as a Democrat and anti-Mason. He was also the candi-
date of the anti-Masonic party for County Treasurer, defeating
his fellow townsman John Keyes. He resided upon the estate and
cultivated the very ground from which Major John Buttrick, his
grandfather, gave the order which fired/*the shot heard 'round the
world." Three of his sons, true to their ancestry, were in the Civil
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STEDMAN BUTTRICK, of Concord.
County Treasurer 183V to 1855.
(See page 137.)
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 139
war; one of them died in the service, having previously fought
for the cause of freedom under John Brown, in Kansas. Sted-
man Buttrick was a man of splendid physique, and a striking ex-
ample of the sterling qualities of mind and boily which charac-
terized the yeomanry of Middlesex county. In youth he was
fond of hunting and fishing, and in later years of a good game of
whist. His last words, so it is said, were: "What's trumps?"
He died November 7, 1874, aged seventy-eight years.
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AMOS STONE, of Everett.
County Treasurer 1855 to 1886.
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ANCIENT MIDDLKSEX.
141
Amos Stone^ of Charlestown and Everett, f855 to 1886 (31
years).
Born in Weare, N. H., August 16, 181G. He came to
Charlestown wlien eight years of age, and was educated in the
public schools of that town, ^^'hen Charlestown became a city
he was elected IVeasurer, and lield the office from 1847 to 1855.
During the latter year he was elected Treasurer of the County of
Middlesex, and so continued until 188(), declining a further elec-
tion. His family was noted in public affairs; one of the brothers
being Mayor of Charlestown. both of them vigorously opposing
annexation as a scheme to swallow up that historic municipality
and make it simply an outlying ward of the City of Boston, and a
football for designing politicians. After the County of Middle-
sex was obliged to submit to the dismemberment of the territory
made famous by its colonial settlers and fighting yeomanry, Amos
Stone moved to Everett, where he was prominent in local affairs.
During many years he was President and Treasurer of the Five
Cents Savings Bank, and President of the Monument National
P>ank, two highly successful institutions of Charlestown. He
died February 13, 189(5, aged eighty years.
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JOSEPH ORLIN HAYDEN, of SoMtRviLLE.
County Treasurer 1886 to date.
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 143
Joseph Orlin Hay-den^ of Somcrvillc, J886 to date (J9 years).
y^^t)u^
Born in Blandford, Mass., July 8, 1847. He was educated in
the public schools of Blandford and Chicopee and the academy at
Granville. At seventeen years of age, following the advice of
Horace Greeley, he went West, where he performed clerical ser-
vice for a time, finally becoming interested in a newspaper in
Minneapolis, Minn. In 18()8 he came to Somerville. From that
date until 187(i he was manager of the Boston Daily and Sunday
Times, when he accepted the management of the Somerville
Journal, and has so continued until the present time. During
several years he was President of the Somerville Water Board
and of the Suburban Press Association, until he declined re-elec-
tion. At the present time he is President of a highly prosperous
financial institution, the Somerville National Bank. The system-
atic details introduced into the management of the treasury de-
partment by Mr. Hayden have been recommended by the
Controller of County Accounts for adoption by County Treas-
urers throughout the Conmion wealth.
N. B. It is worthy of note that but 14 persons have served as
County Treasurers, covering a period of 250 years. It is also interest-
ing to gather from the foregoing that Hon. Richard Russell served the
colony and county 10 years, his son, Hon. James Russell, served the
county J) years, his grandson. Hon. Daniel Russell, served 54 years, and
his great-g;-andson, Hon. James Russell, served 13 years to the Revo-
lutionary period, in all a family service of 8(> years. 7(i of which was con-
secutive. It is doubtful if anything approaching this extended period
can be found in the annals of official service in any department of this
or any other Commonwealth, when applied to so important a position,
except in the family of Francis Foxcroft elsewhere mentioned, which
served through father, sons and grandsons, in different official positions,
an aggregate of J)4 years! It seems to indicate that the people of ancient
Middlesex were loth to discard the services of a faithful public servant
until death or disability intervened. — [Ed.
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144 ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
THE BEADLE AND MARSHAL-GENERAL.
The Beadle was the earliest officer known in colonial times
charged with duties similar to those of court officers of the pres-
ent day. The position of Marshal-General was analagous to that
of High Sheriff. This officer administered the extreme penalties
of the law upon such as were found guilty and duly sentenced.
Previous to the appointment of Sheriffs, the Marshal-General
acted throughout the colony.
James Pcnn, of Bosrton, J630 to J637 (7 years).
Came over with Winthrop. At the first session of the As-
sistants on hoard the Governor's ship, Arbella, in Charlestown
harbor, he was chosen Beadle, "to attend upon the Governor and
alwaies be ready to execute his commands in publique busi-
nesses." He took the oath of office at the second session, Sep-
tember T, 1 (»:?().* He was chosen by the General Court as **Mar-
shal-(ieneral of the Court" September 25, l(i34. He was Repre-
sentative in 1<)48 and KU9. In spiritual matters he was un-
doubtedly a man of great piety, being for many years a ruling
elder of the church. He died September 30, KJTl.
♦"First Court of .-Kssistants. holden att Charltoir' August '28. li»:^0.
•'It was ordered, that James Pen should have 20 nobles p ann, & a
**daycs worke of a man att springe from eny able famyly, to help build
"his house, his yeare to begin the 1th of September nexte. His ini-
"ployemt to be as a beadle to attend upon the (xounr, and alwaies to be
"ready to execute his comands in publique businesses.''
At the 2nd Ctuirt September 7 "James Pen did now take the oath of
beadle."
The foregoing i^ a copy of the original record. — [Ed.
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AXCTEXT MIDDLESEX. 145
Edward MitchcIIsonn, of Cambridge, 1627 to J68J (44 years)*
He came over in 1()35, and was appointed Marshal-General
in KJ^r, holding the office until his death, a period of forty-four
years. During that extended period he was charged with the sad
duty of executing the unfortunate Quakers persecuted for "con-
science sake." He was a member of the A. H. A. Company.
1()38. In the year 1GG8 the court passed an order directing that
in lieu of fees he be paid out of the "Country Treasury the sum of
fifty pounds per annum to provide for so ancient a servant of tliis
court some comfortable maintainance." He died March 7, KJSl.
John Green, of Cambridge, J68J to J687 and from J689 to J69J
(8 years).
Born there in June. 1()3G. He was an only son of Pcrcival,
who came over in Ki;}') on the "Susan and Ellen." John Green
married a daughter of Edward and Ruth (Ilushell) Mitchellsonn.
He succeeded Mitchellsonn as Marshal-General, holding the
office ten years, except during the .Andros administration in KiST
to 1080, when he was superseded by Samuel Gookin. In KJSl) he
was reappointed. He died March :?. KJOO-Ol, aged fifty-five
years. See note.
Samuel Gookin, of Gtmbridgfe, (687 to f 689 (2 years)*
He was a vson of Major-General Daniel Gookin, and is noted
below as a Sheriff of Middlesex County. He appears to have
served under Andros in 1(187 and '88. being superseded by John
Green as above.
\ote. Dr. Samuel A. Green, cx-niayor of Boston and noted as an
historian, is a direct descendant of John Green. — [Ed.
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1 hi AXCIKNT MIDDLKSKX.
SHERIFFS OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY.
The office of Sheriff conies clown through the remotest
anti(|uity of C Ounty history in the mother country, some authori-
ties tracinix it ]>ack to the Romans. In the p^overnment of this
colony, it was adopted some time after the orj^anization of coun-
ties in 1(>4.*^.
Capt. Timothy Phillips, of Charlcstown, J692 to J702 (JO
ycarsX
CCr^^h'^6^
Horn September 1."). l(»r)8. He was without doubt the first
v^heriff of Middlesex county succeeding the Andros ])eriod. lie
was the son of Henry, of Dedham. Admitted to the church in
KiST. Constable of Charlcstown the same year. His business
a|;pears to have been that of a landlord or conuuon- victualler.
Juds^e Sewall in his diary, \'ol. 1.-150, under date (^f March 'l\.
!<!)(;, says that he "dined with Sheriff Phillips and wife and Mr.
riiips and wife" (presumably Sanuiel Phipps, who was County
Clerk and both Register of Deeds and Probate). Sheriff Phillips
died May T, ITP^, aj^^ed fifty-three years.
Capt. Samuel Gookin, of Cambridge, J702 to J7J4 (J2 years).
irt^-^"^^/ .,^„j_
Porn April 'i^i, PJ,*)'^. Noted above as a son of Major-Gen-
eral Daniel (lookin, a friend of the "praying Indians." of John
Iiliot's time. He was not onlv Marshal-General of the colonv
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AXCrENT MIDDLKSKX. 1 11
for a brief period, but was a Captain of Militia in KJi^'i and active
in the Indian troubles. He also raised trooi)s in ITll for an ex-
pedition to Canada. In 1(JS7 he was ap]X)inte(l a Sheriff of Mid-
dlesex, under Andros, whom he ardently supported. In addition
to his term of twelve years he was a^^^ain a])pointed in IT IS and
served until 17*29. Of his ability there can be but one opinion,
but in many ways he appears to have lacked discretion. Mis
service of two terms of twelve years each as vSheriff is sufficient
evidence that the authorities for,e^ave his zeal and friendshi]) for
the despised Andros. He died September 'H\, M:'M), aj^ed sev-
enty-eight years. See note.
Col. Edmund Goffc, of Cambridge, J7J4 to J7J7 (3 years).
liorn 1()7(). Graduated from Harvard in KiDO. Selectman.
1717 and *1S. Representative 171(i to 17"M. Colonel in ir^\.
c'lnd engaged against the Indians. He was a very able business
man and accumulated a large estate, but towards the close of his
life became of unsound mind as appears by a re])ort of the Select-
men. June 11, 1740, on which he was conmiitted to "(Ia(^l."
where he survived but four months. During the time of his
mental troubles the records show that his property was largely
dissi])ated and his estate was rendered insolvent thereby, lie
died October 1(», 1740, aged seventy years.
Samuel Gookin, t7J7 to J729 (J2 years).
See above.
Note. Samuel Gookin, a son of above, who was born Ani^ust 14,
1(>S:I, and died in 1707, was appointed Deputy SherilT by his father in ITOJ.
when 19 years of age, and appears to have served as such until about the
time of his death at 84 years of age, a period of about (>.*» years.
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148 ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
Samuel Dtimmcr, of Wilmington, J 729 to J 73 1 (2 years).
Born in Boston in lOOO. He was the second son of Jerc-
niiali Dununer, a prominent silversmith of Boston, who was a son
of Richard, of Newbury, noted for his w^ealth and public spirit.
Jeremiah was also a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas from
1702 to KIT). One of his (Samuel's) brothers was William Dum-
mer, Acting Governor of the colony for many years, and the
other was Jeremiah, agent of the colonial government in England,
and one of the most brilliant men of his day. Dr. Chauncy
wrote of him as being "one of the three first sons of Xew Eng-
land." and Bancroft said his writings contained "the seed of
.American Independence.'* Samuel was born in the Dummer
mansion, which stood near the corner of State and Congress
streets. In early life he appears to have lived in Jamaica. On
his return he settled in Wilmington, where he cultivated with
slave labor an extensive estate. He had a mania for ])urchasing
farms and at one time had several hundred acres in that vicinity,
which probably were not si)ecially remunerative, as he became
financially embarrassed and parted with most of them in 1731.
In 1730 as "a Principal Inhabitant of W^ilmington'* he was
ordered by the (leneral Court to warn the inhabitants to meet in
Town Meeting and elect Town Officers. He died February (>.
1738, aged forty-eight years, leaving a widow, Elisabeth, who
was a daughter of the venerable Samuel Ruggles, minister of
Billerica more than half a century. A few days after the death
of her husband she gave birth to a posthumous daughter, who
lived about three years. In the settlement of her husband's es-
tate appears the following interesting item, "Paid Elisabeth
Dunmier" (the widow and mother) "for the lying in of a post-
humous child Twenty Pounds !" This singular charge was al-
lowed by the Judge. Samuel Dummer's appointment as Sheriff
came from his brother, but he does not appear to have been at all
active in the discharge of the duties of his office, and he was soon
superseded. He lies buried in the ancient cemetery in Wil-
mington.
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 149
Hon. Richard Foster, Jr., of Charlcstown, J 73 J to J 764 (33 years).
Born Alarch 2;i. 1()93. His official career was longer than
that of any sherifT who has ever held the position in Middlesex,
covering a period of one-third of a century. His special prepara-
tion for the duties of an office, in which he must have been ex-
ceedingly competen't, was unusual, and has never been dupli-
cated, as he followed the sea in the early part of his life and was
finally advanced to the command of a vessel, which certainly
gave him little time to devote to the study of public affairs.
From 1T()4 to ITTl he was Judge of the Inferior Court. He died
August, 1T74, aged eighty-two years.
Col. David Phips, of Charlestown, J764 to J775 (10 years).
Born September '^T), 17'<>4. Graduated from Harvard in
1741. A Representative in 1753 and Colonel in the Militia. Be-
ing a Royalist and adhering to the cause of the King, his estate
was confiscated, and he fled to England, where he died July 7,
ISll, aged eighty-seven.
Col. James Prescott, of Groton, 1775 to t78J (6 years).
Born there of a noted family of patriots, January 13, 1720-1.
He was a member of the First, Second, and Third Provincial
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:OLONEL LOAMMI BALDWIN, of Woburn.
Sheriff 1781 to 1794.
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PORTRAIT AND ORGAN OF OLIVER HOLDEN, of Charlestown
Composer of " Coronation." <See page 36.)
Krnni the collection ol the '* l*.o%t'»imn S<Kiety."
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GENERAL WILLIAM HILDRETH, Jr.. of Concord.
Sheriff 1808 to 1813. (See page 151.)
h'lnni .1 CVduotd mllection <»f histoiic portraits. N<»t voiichecl for. but Mipp(*setl to }>t autlu-ntic — [ L.
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ANCIENT MIDDI.KSKX. 151
Coiif^resses, and of the Board of War: of the (iovernor's Council
in 1T81. 'H2 and '83; of the (General Court 1T()(J to ITTo and from
1777 to 1778. He was a Senator in 1780, and jud^c of the Court
of Common Pleas to his death, which occurred February 15, 1800,
at tlie age of eighty years. He was of the steadfast yeomanry of
Ancient Middlesex.
Colonel Loammi Baldwin, of Woburn, J78J to J794 (J3 years).
.\ soldier of the Revolution, mentioned elsewhere.
Major Joseph Hosmer, of Concord, J 794 to 1808 (H years).
l>orn December *^o, 17.*5r). He was an officer of militia in
177.''», and acting Adjutant at the Concord fight, it being his duty
to form the s(|uads and companies into line as they arrived at tlu-
North Bridge. He was Captain of the Concord Light Infantry
in 1780, and afterwards Major. He was Representative in 1780,
'M. '8:) and '84, Senator, n8.") to 17J>3, and member of the Con-
stitutional Convention, 1788. He died January 31, 18'^1, aged
eighty-five years.
General William Hildrethjr., of Concord, J808 to J8J3 (5 years).
Pjorn in Dracut, November Hi, 1757. A member of the So-
ciety of the Cincinnati. .\ soldier and patriot of the Revolution-
ary period, who marched as a minuteman at the Lexingtc^n a' ::
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MAJOR JOSEPH HOSMER. of Concord.
Sheriff 1794 to 1808.
(See pag2 151.)
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AXCIENT MIDDLESEX. 153
His father, William Hildreth, of Dracut, prominent in public
affairs, was elected by the General Court, February 7, 1?7(), as
First Major in Colonel Spalding's Seventh Middlesex Regiment,
but with extreme modesty declined the honor, replying that he
was "conscious of not being qualified for that important post."
The subject of this sketch served throughout the Revolution, first
as a private in Captain Zaccheus Wright's Company, Colonel
Brooks' Massachusetts Regiment, afterwards in Colonel Michael
Jackson's Regiment of the Continental army, winning promotion
to First Lieutenant, in which position he was returned as late as
May *^4, 1783. He was Representative from 1TJ)5 to 1800, and
Senator from 1801 to 1807! His military title of General came
from his connection with the Massachusetts militia. He died in
Concord September 5, 1813, aged fifty-six years. He was a
lineal descendant of Richard Hildreth, l(;or)-l()88, first of Woburn
and afterwards of Chelmsford, who was admitted a freeman May
10, 1()-1.'). In some way, perhaps in battle, he lost the use of his
right hand, in recognition of which he was granted 150 acres of
land in KJO-l. He was the common ancestor of all of the name in
Dracut and Lowell, constituting an able, patriotic, and influential
familv.
General Nathaniel Austin, Jn, of Charlestown, I8J3 to J83I (J8
yearsX
Born there March liJ, 177*-^, He was Representative in
18L^ and 1831, and again in 1838; a Senator from 183"^ to 1835,
and a member of the Governor's Council in 1830. He was Briga-
dier-General, Third Division Massachusetts Militia, and a bridge
Connnissioncr for many years. He executed "Mike Martin,"
the **gentleman" highwayman, hanged for robbing Major Bray
on the Medford turnpike. He was a very energetic, able, and
useful citizen. He (bed a bachelor April 3, 18(J1. aged eighty-
nine years.
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GENERAL NATHANIEL AUSTIN. Jr.. of Charlestown.
Sheriff 1813 to 1831.
(See page 153.)
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COLONEL SAMUEL CHANDLER, of Lexington.
Sheriff 1841 to 1851.
(See page 157.)
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FISHER AMES HILDRETH. of Lowell.
Sheriff 1851 lo 1853.
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AXriENT MIDDLESEX. _ 157
Benjamin Franklin Vamum, of Dracut, f83f to t84f (fO years)*
See County Commissioners.
G>IoneI Samuel Chandler, of Lexingfton, tS4f to I85t (fO years)*
Born there October '2(>, 1795. He enlisted in the War of
ISI'2, i^oing to the front as an ensign. After two severe enfja^e-
ments on the Canadian frontier he was promoted to the position
of First Lieutenant. At the close of the war he was appointed
Major of the Third Regiment Massachusetts MiHtia and Colonel
from 18'?: to 18:U. He was Major-Ceneral from 1835 to 1839.
Captain A. H. A. Company 183(), and Senator in 1839. He was
Worshipful Master of Hiram Lodge, A. F. and A. M., of Lex-
ington in 18*37 and 18-38. He died July -30, 18(;7, aged seventy-
two years.
Fisher Ames Hildreth, of Lowell, J 85 1 to 1853 (2 years)*
y^c^
Born in Dracut Fehruary 5, 1818. Appointed High Sheriff
hy (Governor Bout well. A member of the Legislature in 1813
and Ml, and Postmaster of Lowell during the administrations of
Presidents Pierce and JUichanan. He was very prominent as a
journalist and had the tact of money-making to a marked degree,
as evidenced by the size of the estate he left to be administered
upon. He died July *?, 1873, aged fifty-five years.
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HON. JOHN SHEPARD KEYES, of Concord.
Sheriff 1853 to 185^.
(See page 161.)
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* .-
CHARLES KIMBALL, of Lowell.
Sheriff 1859 to 1879.
(See page 161.)
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EBEN V/IN^LOW FISKE. of Waltham.
Sheriff 1879 to 1883.
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 161
Hon* John Shepard Keyes^ of C>ncorclt 1853 to 1859 (6 years)*
Born there September 19. 1821. Son of Hon. John Keyes,
a distinguished citizen of Concord. A graduate of Harvard in
1841. He was a member of the Senate in 1849 and United
States Marshal for the district of Massachusetts from 1861 to
1866. In 1874 he was appointed Justice of the District Court of
Central Middlesex, a position which he now occupies with grace,
dignity, and ability, at the advanced age of four score years and
three.
Charles Kimball^ of Lowell, J859 to 1879 (20 years).
OAoaZ*^ n^i^yuf-A
Born in Littleton September 23, 1811. On November 30.
1840, he was appointed writing master of the Boylston school on
Iu)rt Hill. P>oston, serving in that capacity until promoted to the
position of head master. He remained with this school nearly
nineteen years, when he resigned to accept the office of Sheriff, to
which he had been elected, serving in said office until the day of
his death, a period of twenty years. He was Senior Grand War-
den of the (irand Lodge, A. F. and A. M., in 1872.
Eben Winslow Fiske, of Waltham, <879 to 1883 (4 years)*
^ ^C^s^t^
Born in Framingham October 22, 1819. When twenty-one
years of age he settled in Waltham and worked at his trade of
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HENRY GREENWOOD GUSHING, of Lowell.
Sheriff 1383 to 1899.
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 1()3
harness maker for several years. He was constable from 1847 to
1851 and Deputy Sheriflf from 1851 to 1879, twenty-eiglit years,
when he was appointed by the Governor as Sheriff to fill a va-
cancy caused by the death of Sheriff Kimball. Subsequently
elected by the people, he served in this office until his death. In
the town of VValtham he was a coroner, member of the water
board, chairman of the board of assessors, and moderator at
town meetings for many years. Jle was also a justice of the
peace and deputy collector of internal revenue. In politics, an
active and consistent Republican, and altogether a useful citizen
who formed strong ties of friendship and public confidence. He
died August 27, 1883, aged sixty-four years.
Henry Greenwood Gushing, of Lowell, 1883 to 1899 (16 years*)
Born in Abington, October 8, 1834. He was educated in the
public schools of his native town and at Wilbraham Academy.
He commenced his business career as a shoe manufacturer in
Abington, from which town he went West, and settling in Chi-
cago, was conducting an extensive dry goods establishment there
at the time of the great fire. Returning East and settling in
Lowell he was Deputy Sheriff from 1875 to 1879; special Sheriff
from 1879 to 1883, when he was appointed Sheriff to fill a va-
cancy caused by the death of Sheriff Fiske. He was elected by
the people and served to the day of his death. A veteran of the
Civil war, having served as First Lieutenant of Eighth New Hamp-
shire Volunteers. He was also assigned to duty on the staff of
Major-General W. T. Sherman. A member of the Loyal Legion,
G. A. R., and the Masonic fraternity. Died in Lowell, June 9,
1899, aged sixty-five years.
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JOHN ROBERT FAIRBAIRN. of Cambridge.
Sheriff 1899 to date.
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 165
John Robert Fairbaim, of Cambridge, 1899 to date.
Horn in Boston January 20, 1851, of Scotch ancestry. His
father, John Fairbairn, was born near Glasgow, and served
eleven years in the Forty-Second Regiment Scottish Highlanders
before emigrating to America. Shortly after the birth of the son,
the family moved to Cambridge, where the subject of this sketch
was educated in the public schools. At an early age he was ap-
])renticed to the upholstery trade, at which he worked several
years as a journeyman after completing his term of service. In
1ST4 he established himself in East Cambridge as an auctioneer
and dealer in real estate, in which he was successful. He was ap-
pointed Deputy Sheriff in 1884. In 1889 he was a member of the
Common Council of the City of Cambridge, and in 1890, '91, '92,
'93, '95, and '91), one of the Board of Aldermen, serving as Presi-
dent in 1893, '95, and '96. In June, 1896, he succeeded the late John
M. Fiske as keeper of the jail, master of the house of correction,
and Special Sheriff. June 2'i, 1899, after the death of Sheriff
Cushing. he was appointed Sheriff to fill the vacancy, and subse-
([uently elected by the people to the present date. He is con-
nected with the Masonic fraternity in Cambridge, being a mem-
ber of the lodge, chapter, council, and commandery.
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1G6 ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
CLERKS OF COURT OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY.
Deputy Gov* Thomas Danforth, of CambridgCt 1649 to f686 (37
ycarsX
He was the first Clerk or Recorder of ancient Middlesex of
which we have any real, or rather official, 'knowledge, as he
seems to have commenced his career in that capacity by record-
ing the doings of a "County Cort held at Cambridge, October
30 [1G49]/' The first action tried in this court was "Increase
Nowell vs. John Martine/' As Middlesex County was incorpo-
rated May 10, 1G43, it must be admitted that an hiatus existed
during the six years preceding this first entry which as yet re-
mains unaccounted for. Mr. Danforth was born in Framlinghani.
Suffolk, England, in 1()22, and came to Cambridge in IG.'H. where
he became one of the wealthiest and most distinguished men of
Middlesex. Connected with his mansion was an estate of 120
acres in the very heart of the town, a portion of which is now oc-
cupied by college buildings. He also owned about 1(),000 acres,
which included most of the area of the present towns of Framing-
ham and Ashland, and portions of Sherborn, Cordaville, and
Southville. He was the son of Rev. Nicholas Danforth, an emi-
nent English Puritan. That he was a man of remarkable char-
acter, wonderful energy, and superior abilities may be inferred
from the broad range of his public services during a career of
more than fifty years. He was Town Clerk of Cambridge from
1015 to l(il)8, inclusive, twenty-four years; Selectman, twenty-
seven years ; Deputy to the General Court, one year ; Assistant,
nineteen years ; Deputy (iovernor of the colony, twelve years ;
one of the Council, six years ; Judge of the Superior Court of
Judicature, seven years : Treasurer of Middlesex County, three
years; Clerk of Courts, from H>IO to IGSG, thirty-seven years;
Register of Dccd.s. tliirly->cvcn years : Commissioner of the
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 167
Llnitcd Colonies, sixteen years; President of that board, three
years; President of the District of Maine, eleven years; and
Treasurer of Harvard College from 1650 to 16()9, nineteen years.
He was a leader of the earliest party in America opposed to the
encroachments of the crown, which made him a candidate for
(lovernor against the noted Royalist, Simon Bradstreet, whom
he almost succeeded in defeating, there being but a handful of
votes between them. December 27, KioJ), the Court fixed his
salary at €6 13s 4d for the year!
He was also (with Major-General Daniel Gookin) a firm
friend of the "Apostle'* Eliot, and gave him all possible assistance
in his la1)ors among the praying Indians, especially while popular
clamor against them was at its height in 1675, for which he was
l)oste(l and threatened with death by an infuriated and unreason-
ing populace. He continued to hold the office of Clerk of
"Corts." however, long years after these happenings. His death
occurred November 5, 1()9!), aged seventy-seven. He left no
descendants in the male line. Such was the character of his pub-
lic services, and such was the high standard set up by the first
Clerk of Courts of ancient Middlesex 256 years ago; history will
bear witness to the fact that it has never been lowered by any of
his successors.
Capt* Laurence Hammond, of Chariest own, i6&6 to 1689 (3
yearsX
^^^yVf^e£^z^^^^^,^,S^
Town Clerk, 1672 and '73; Selectman, Representative,
1672-'77, Captain train-band and Lieutenant A. H. A. Company.
He was a supporter of Andros, and on account of his loyalty was
deprived of his command in the train-band, after the Governor
was deposed. He was Register of Deeds and of Probate. At
the expiration of more than two centuries his handwriting still
remains clear, distinct, and beautiful, in wonderful contrast with
the abominable chirography of early days. Died in Boston July
25, 1699.
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168 ANCIEXT MIDDLESEX.
Gipt« Samuel Phipps, of Charlestown, f 689 to 1723 (34 years)*
e^.-^ 9^if^ ^^
Born about 1(551. (iraduated from Harvard in 1(571. Con-
stable, against his will, 1(>S(>. Town Treasurer, 1(>ST-SS. Town
Clerk, 1G88. Constable again. l()89-9<?. Captain of Militia,
1T04, 1712, and an Assessor of Charlestown many years, besides
being in 1700 Commissioner of Claims for the province of Maine.
He was a school teacher in Charlestown from 1(371-1(584. He
was Selectman 1687, 1697, 1701 to 1701. 170(5, 1707, 1709, 1711 to
1714 and 1716. Representative, 1692, 1695, 1(597, 1(J99 to 1705,
1707 to 1711, and 1712. He was Register of Probate, 1(592 to 1702.
Register of Deeds April 10, 1693, to April 14, 1721, and Clerk of
Courts from October 1, 1689, to July 9, 172:5. He was succeeded
in the office of Clerk by his son, Samuel Phipps, Jr., who. was
sworn in October 8, 1723. His active and honorable career
closed August 7, 1725, aged about seventy-four years.
Samuel Phipps, Jr., of darlestown, 1723 to 1735 (12 years).
Born February 10, 1684. Son of Samuel First. Not much
is known of him, save that he succeeded his father as Clerk, being
sworn in October 8, 1723. He served until March 9, 1735. when
Thaddeus Mason came in and commenced his extended official
career.
Thaddeus Mason, of Cambridge, 1735 to )790 (55 years).
Born in Charlestown December 27, 170(). Graduated from
Harvard in 1728, and commenced his career by teaching school
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 169
in Woodstock, Conn. He was a descendant in the second gen-
eration from Captain Hngh Mason, the emigrant, who settled in
Watertown in l()31-5. He was a sufferer l)y the bombardment of
Charlestown, his house being burned by the British in the general
v:onflagration. After that event he hved at various times in
Stoneham, Lexington, Medford, and Cambridge. He was pri-
vate secretary to Governor Belcher, Deputy Naval Officer in
1731, Deputy Secretary Province, ITIM, Register of Deeds, 17S1
to 1784. Clerk of Courts fifty-five years, remaining in office until
eighty-four years of age. He was an energetic, faithful, and effi-
cient officer, who outlived every contemporary, surviving almost
to the century mark. He died May 1, 180.^, aged ninety-six
vears.
Abraham Bigelow, of Cambridge^ f 790 to I83f (41 years)*
i7^'
Born in Weston September 18, 1762. Graduated from Har-
vard in 178*^. Member Constitutional Convention, 1788, IVcsi-
dential Elector, 181^. He practiced successfully as a lawyer.
Through his father, Abraham, a Representative, Selectman, etc.,
of Weston, born in Marlboro March o, 1713, he was a descendant
in the fifth generation from John Biglo, a blacksmith of Water-
town, and Mary Warren, whose marriage in 1(342 was the first
one recorded in that town. It is claimed that Mary came over
with her father, John Warren, in the Governor Winthrop party,
and it is also established to the satisfaction of many investigators
that this humble Puritan maiden was descended from William
the Conqueror. As Clerk of Courts, his term of service was only
second to that of his predecessor, commencing in 1790, and ex-
tending to 1831, a period of forty-one years. His descendants
are able and distinguished to the present generation. He died
in New York city July ii, 1832, aged seventy.
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ABRAHAM BIGELOW, of Weston and Cambridge.
Clerk of Courts 1790 to 1831—41 years.
From a silhouette in the possession of Albert S. Bigelow, of Boston.
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ELIAS PHINNEY. of Lexington.
Clerk of Courts 1831 to 1849.
From a painting; in the possession of George B. Phinney, Esq , Fort Scott, Kan.
(See page V/2).
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172 ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
Elias Phinncy, of Lexington^ I83J to J849 (18 years).
f^/nuiA^
r>om in Xova Scotia, 1780. Graduated from Harvard in
IsrH. He was a practicing lawyer in Charlestown, who was fond
of country life and studied practical farming. He became a
Trustee of the State Agricultural Society, and was considered an
authority on all matters relating to tillage and general husbandry.
In 18*^:] he settled upon a large farm in Lexington, which, under
his skilful management, attained a high state of cultivation, and
became distinguished as a prominent example of the farmer's art.
It was his custom to ride from his home in Lexington to the
Court House in the old-fashioned **one-horse shay' of our an-
cestors. He was a man of fine personal a])pearance and a gentle-
man of the old school. He died July 24, 18()9, aged sixty-nine
vears.
Hon. Scth Ames, of Lowell, July 30, 1849, to June 23, J899 (10
years).
Horn in Dedham April 19, 18U3. Graduated from Harvard
in 18*i5, Representative. 18:)2, Senator, 1841, Justice of the Su-
perior Onirt, iSoJ) to 18<)9, serving as Chief Justice thereof after
18(i7. Judge of the Supreme Judicial Court from January 19, 18()9.
to January 15. 1881. He was greatly distinguished as a lawyer
and jurist. Died in Brookline August 15, 1881, aged seventy-
six vears.
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HON. SETH AMES, of Lowell.
Clerk of Courts 1849 to 1859.
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JOHN QUINCY ADAMS GRIFFIN, of Medford.
Clerk of Courts 1859.
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ANCTENT MIDDLESEX. 175
John Quincy Adams Griffin, of Charlestown, Maiden and Med-
fofd, June 23, J 859, to September J, J859 (2 months).
Born in Londonderry, N. H.. July 8, 182(>. After living a
time in IMham. where he attended the district schools, he went to
Groton, Mass., in 1844 at the age of eighteen, where he prepared
for college at the (iroton academy. In 184() he entered Amherst
College, hut did not graduate, having quitted its classic shades,
when, as he termed it, "they could learn him nothing more.*' He
was admitted to the Middlesex har in 1849, and we next find him,
in 1850, editing a "Free Soil" paper in Lawrence, although living
in Charlestown, heing an ardent advocate of the principles enun-
ciated hy that party. He was City Solicitor of Charlestown, and
an earnest opponent of annexation. Representative in 1855, being
"Free Soil" candidate for Speaker, receiving twenty-nine votes,
the entire party strength. Moving to Maiden he represented that
town in 1859 and 18(10. It was mainly through his efforts that
tolls were abolished between that section of Middlesex county
and Boston, conferring a great blessing upon the community.
Subsequently he moved to Medford, where he died of jnilmonary
consumption. May 2',?, 18()(>, aged forty years, at the very thresh-
old of a promising career. He served but two months in the
office of Clerk of Courts, when he resigned, as methcxlical office
work was not to his liking, and being nervous and excitable to tlie
extreme, he fretted "like a hound in the leash,'* to be back to the
active and strenuous hfe of his chosen profession, saying to a friend
that "had he stayed another month he would have gone crazy !'*
He seemed to absorb knowledge without apparent effort, and be-
came a worthy antagonist of men of the stamp of lienjamin F.
1 hitler, against whom he was often pitted in court, and upon the
forum. In debate he had the fire and courage of John Randolph,
in cutting sarcasm the tongue of Wendell Phillips, while his
oratorical powers were not only impetuous, but seductive and
captivating.
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GENERAL JAMES DANA, of Chapllstgwn.
Clerk of Courts 1859.
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 17?
General James Dana, of Charlestown, September J, J859, to De-
cember J, 1859 (3 months)*
J^CU^y^^"^^ CBCL
Born there November 8, 1811. Graduated from Harvard in
1830. Son of Hon. Samuel Dana of Groton, a distinguished
statesman, lawyer and jurist, and the first County Attorney of
Middlesex County. General Dana was Mayor of Charlestown.
1858, 1859, 1860. To him was due the introduction of water into
that city. Captain Charlestown Light Infantry, Colonel Fourth
Regiment, First Brigade Second Division, and Brigadier-General
Third Brigade Massachusetts Militia. A lawyer in his native
city for many years, associated with Moses G. Cobb, who raised
** Cobb's,*' subsequently **Nims' " battery, which performed
valiant service in the Civil war. He moved from Charlestown
in 1875, to Dorchester, where he died June 4, 1890, aged seventy-
eight years.
Benjamin Franklin Ham, of Natick, December I^ ^859, to Janu-
ary, J872 (J3 years).
/J.C^J^c
Born in Farmington, N. H., July 2, 1823. He attended
the district school, but at the early age of thirteen was thrown
upon his own resources and left home to make his way in the
world. He went to Natick and worked at the shoemaker's
bench, and while there formed the friendship of Henry Wilson,
a fellow mechanic, who in later years was to record his name high
in the annals of fame. This intimacy was terminated only upon
the death of the vice-president. Gradually improving his mind
by study, he became a schoolmaster and taught in and about
Xatick, and was finally admitted to the bar in 1853. His legal
work was so careful and judicial that he was frequently appointed
to determine facts for the court as auditor, and his findings were
generally acceptable. He was Representative in 1859. Towards
the end of his life he became very deaf, and was not often seen
in public. He died in Medford May 4, 1893, aged seventy years.
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BENJAMIN FRANKLIN HAM. of Natxk.
Clerk of Courts 1859 to 1872.
(See page 177.)
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 170
Samuel Hilliard Folsom, of Winchester, October 17, J87J (late
Res:ister of ProbateX
Was Clerk pro-tem for a brief period.
Lieut. Theodore Qarence Hurd, of Winchester, January 3, J872,
to date (33 years).
yUUr/^^hp^L.
Horn in Xewton January IJ), 1837, of patriotic stock. His
paternal grandfather, William Hiird, served three years in the
Army of the Revolution, and Zibeon Hooker, his maternal
grandsire, was one of the charter members of the Society of the
Cincinnati, he having served as a drummer boy at Bunker Hill,
and afterwards, by promotion, as Major on the staff of General
Washington. Emulating the patriotism of his ancestors, Theo-
dore C. Hurd enlisted in Company F, Forty-fifth Massachusetts
X'olunteers, during the Civil War, where he attained the rank of
second lieutenant, receiving an honorable discharge at the com-
l)letion of his term of service. In early life his parents removed
to l'>amingham, where the boy passed through the public schools
and the academy there, subseciuently graduating from Union
College, Schenectady, N. Y., in IHoCJ. He studied law at the
Harvard Law School, and with Hon. C. C. Esty, of Framingham,
and was admitted to the Middlesex bar in 18G0. He was a Se-
lectman of Framingham, ISiio to 18T0; Representative, 18(;T-
18(i9-'70 and 'Tl ; and Assistant District Attorney from ISfJo to
187'^. He has been Clerk of Courts since January 3, 187'.3, a
period of thirty-three years. In length of service he stands fifth
upon the list, but in the order of succession he bears the fatal
numeral of superstition — 13. Notwithstanding this cabalistic
omen, let us cherish the hope that, for the benefit of those who
may follow us, he may remain at his post long after we, who love
him so well and whom he honors so much, shall have crossed the
fabled river and await his coming to the silent shore.
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THEODORE CLARENCE HURD. of Winchlstek.
Clerk of Courts 1872 to date.
(See page 179.)
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MARSHALL PRESTON, of Lexington.
Assistant Clerk of Courts May 5, 1851. to March 5, 1863.
(See page 182.)
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18"3 ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
ASSISTANT CLERKS OF COURT.
Marshall Preston^ of Lexington, May 5^ 1851, to March 5, 1863
(J2 years).
liorn in Ikdford June 5, 1T92. Son of Dr. Aniariah Pres-
ton of l*e(lford, who served three years in the War of the Revo-
lution, afterwards practicing medicine with great success, and
died in Lexington, aged J)(», having been in active practice until
almost four score years and ten. Marshall Preston was at l>rown
L'niversity for a time, studied law with his uncle. Warren Preston
(Brown University, 1S04), in Maine, and was admitted to the bar
in Augusta. Lawyer at l>illcrica from about ls-i()-184!): Town
Clerk at Uillerica. 1S-21-1S4S: F\xstmaster at Hillerica, l.s-^<»-
1S49; Selectman, l>illerica, 18'^1-1S48: House of Representa-
tives from P>illerica. IS-^D-lSoO. A member of the First Parish
Church (Cnitarian) at P>illerica : also the Old First Parish
Church (Unitarian) at Lexington, when he lived there. ISPJ-
ISTl: also a member of the Masonic Fraternity. He moved
from P»illerica to Lexington in ltS40, where he died Xovember 'i,
18T4, aged eighty-two years.
John James Sawyer, of Somerville, March 5, 1863, to September
6, J882 (J9 years)-
Porn in Cambridge July V.). 1S14. Descended from Elihu
Sawyer, who was a Lieutenant in the Revolution, and was with
Washington at \'alley F'orge. John James became infatuated
with the (xx^an in early life, and, in com])any with the late veteran
Clerk of Courts of Suffolk Joseph A. Willard. ran away to sea.
He served in the I'nited States Xa\ v throughout the Mexican
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JOHN JAMES SAWYER, of Somerville.
Assistant Clerk of Courts 1863 to 1882.
(See page 182.)
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184 ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
war. He was a genial, whole-souled sailor. His liberality of dis-
position and infinite humor gave him great popularity with both
the bench and the bar, many of whom delight to recall his quaint
sayings and ready wit. In his last sickness he was a great
sufferer. He died in Somerville September 8, 1882, aged sixty-
eight years.
John Lee Ambrosetof Somerville (First Assistant Qerk of Courts),
October 2, 1882, to date (22 years)*
-C^ .
Born in Center Sandwich, X. H., August 10. lS-14. He at-
tended the district and high schools of the town, and on January
IS, 18(i9, entered the office of the Clerk of Courts for Middlesex
County, Henjamin F. Ham being then the Clerk. Mr. Ambrose
was appointed Second Assistant Clerk of the Courts by Theodore
C. Hurd. Esquire, the present Clerk, December IT, 18T4, under
the provisions of Chapter 181 of the Acts of 1873. On October
2, 188*^. the Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court appointed Mr.
Ambrose First Assistant Clerk, which position he now holds.
His official record to date since first appointment in 1874 covers a
period of thirty years.
William Qinton DiIIins:ham, of Maiden^ Second Assistant Qerk
of Courts, 1882 to date (22 years).
iiorn in Charlestown, Mass., March o, 1848. He is de-
scended from the \'ermont branch of the Dillingham family of
Colonial times. His parents having moved to Maiden, he passed
through the public schools of that town, and attended a prepara-
tory school in Boston, afterwards studying law for three years in
the office of William C. Greene. In 1875 he was appointed a
Deputy Sheriff of Middlesex County, and in 1882 became an As-
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JOHN LEE AMBROSE, of Somerville.
First Assistant Clerk of Courts 1882 to date.
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WILLIAM CLINTON DILLINGHAM, of Malden.
Sscond Assistant Clerk of Courts 1882 to date.
(See pxgt 184.)
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RALPH NATHAN SMITH, of Arlington.
Third Assistant Clerk of Courts 1896 to date.
(See page 188.)
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188 ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
sistant under Theodore C. Hurd. Later on he was appointed
Second Assistant Clerk of Courts, a position which he now oc-
cupies.
Ralph Nathan Snuthf of Arlinsfton, Third Assistant Qerk of
Courts, t896 to date*
Born December 4, 1871, at Worcester. Mass. Attended
public school in Worcester until ISS;?. Afterwards lived in Teni-
pleton, Mass., and graduated from Tenipleton High school in
class of 1888. Attended Becker's private school in Worcester
for one year.
Assistant bookkeeper and school teacher at Cambridge
House of Correction from 1890 to 1893. Appointed Clerk in
office of Clerk of Courts. December 1. 1893. Commissioned
Third Assistant Clerk of Courts of Middlesex County by Su-
preme Judicial Court. April *<i."), 18y(), and has held said position
to present date.
Ro^r Howard Hurd, of Winchester, Fourth Assistant Qerk of
G>urts«
Born at Cambridge, Mass., April 13, 1881, moving to Win-
chester, Mass., in 1888. He attended the Winchester public
schools, leaving the high school in 1898 and entering the Boston
Art School in the fall of that year. Since the summer of 1899.
he has been employed in the office of Clerk of Courts, being ap-
pointed Fourth Assistant Clerk on March 27, 1903.
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ROGER HOWARD HURD. of Winchester.
Fourth Assistant Clerk of Coi-rts March 27. 1903, to date.
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HON. JOHN WINTHROP. of Cambridge.
Professor of Mathematics. Harvard University. 1736 to 1779.
Judge of Probate 1775 to 1779.
(See page 195.)
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 191
JUDGES OF PROBATE (AND OF INSOLVENCY
SINCE 1858)-
Hon« James RiisscII, of Charlcstown, 1692 to 1702 (10 years).
See Treasurers.
Hon* John Leverett, of Cambridge, 1702 to 1708 (6 years)*
Born in Boston August 2."). IGfi^. Graduated from Harvard
in l()8i). Selectman, KiJM) and 1700; Councillor, l'JO(;; \*ice
Judge Admiralty court: Representative, 1(»J)(J, 1()!)I), and ITOO.
and Speaker of the House the latter year. Justice Superior Court
1T()*>3 to ITOT, President of Harvard College from October 28.
1707, to May :{. 1724, when he was found dead in bed. A man
of ability, but a martinet in discipline and disposition, who en-
deavored to rule every community and institution with which he
came in contact. His grandfather was John Leverett, who
was (lovernor, 1()72 to 1<)79. The family mansion of the Lev-
eretts was on the corner of Court and Washington streets, oppo-
site the old State House, Boston. He died in Cambridge, May
15, 1724, aged sixty-two years.
Hon. Francis Fozcroft, the first, of Boston and Cambridge, 1708
to 1725 (17 years).
Born in England November 13, 1^57. Son of Daniel Fox-
croft, Mayor of Leeds, England, in !()()(». Colonel in the militia
and a member of the A. H. A. Company. He was a justice under
Andros, and imprisoned for his loyalty in 1689. Representative
from Dunstable in 1693. Judge Court of Common Pleas, 1707
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192 ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
to 1719, and Judge Probate. 1T08 to IT'^5. An exceedingly able,
influential, and wealthy man. His wife. Elisabeth, was a daugh-
ter of Governor Danforth. Francis Foxcroft, the second. Daniel,
and Rev. Thomas Foxcroft, all of whom were officers of Middle-
sex County at various times, were his sons, and he was the grand-
father of John. Register of Deeds many years. Through father
and sons this family have an official record in this county aggre-
gating eighty-four years, and grandson ten years, showing a ser-
vice of ninety-four years prior to the Revolution in various
offices. Should we add the public serx'ices of Francis first, pre-
vious to 1708. the aggregate would exceed the century mark.
He died in Cambridge December 31, IT'37. aged seventy years.
Hon* Jonathan Remfns:ton, of Gtmbridge, t725 to t745 (20
ycarsX
/
pXminyZfc- PyAo
Born. 1<>77. Graduated from Harvard in l<)9ri. Selectman
Cambridge. 1712 and 1715 to 1719. Representative twelve
years between 1714 and 17*28. Councillor. 17:50 to 1740. Judge
Court Common Pleas 1729 to 1745. Died September 30, 1745,
aged sixty-eight years.
Hon* Samuel Danforth, of Gtmbridgc, 1745 to 1775 (30 ycarsX
oLj^'^^f^
Born in Dorchester November 12, 1G96. Graduated from
Harvard in 1715. Selectman Cambridge, 1733 to 1739. Repre-
sentative 1734 to 1738. Councillor thirty-six years, 1739 to 1774.
Justice Peace, Register Probate, 1731-1745. Judge Court Corn-
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HOiN. SAMUEL PHILLIPS PRESCOTT FAY, of Cambridge.
Judge of Probate 1821 to 1856.
(See page 196.)
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HON. WILLIAM ADAMS RICHARDSON, of Lowell.
Judge of Probate 1856 to 1872.
(See page 199.)
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 195
mon Pleas, 1741 to 1745. Being a Royalist he ceased to hold
office after the outbreak of the Revolution. Died in Boston Oc-
tober 27, 1777, aged eighty-one years.
Professor John Winthrop, of Cambridge, 1775 to 1779 (4 yearsX
Born December 19, 1714. Graduated from Harvard in 1732.
A descendant in the fourth generation from Governor John Win-
throp. Representative, 1774, Councillor, 1773, '75, and '7G. He
was the foremost mathematician and philosopher of his genera-
tion in America; a Fellow of the Royal Society, and Hollis pro-
fessor of mathematics and natural philosophy in Harvard from
1738 until his death. He died in 1779, aged sixty-five years.
Hon. Oliver Prescott, M* D^ of Groton, 1779 to 1805 (26 years.)
(^4^^•y>
np
Born April 27, 1731, son of Benjamin Prescott, a blacksmith,
who came to Groton in 1G80, having had land granted him.
Graduated from Harvard in 1750 with highest honors. He was
a public-spirited citizen, and patriot to the very core. Town
Clerk thirteen years, and Selectman thirty-two years. He
was Major, Lieutenant-Colonel, Colonel, Brigadier and Major-
General of Militia, before and after the Revolution. President
of the Massachusetts Medical Society, President of Board of
Trustees, Groton Academy, and a fellow of the American So-
ciety of Arts and Sciences. During many years he was the most
prominent physician in Northern Middlesex. He died in office
November 17, 1804, aged seventy-three years.
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19C) ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
Hon. James Prescott, of Groton, 1805 to 1821 (16 ycats)^
ya^'ii^S^ei^oir^
Born April 19, ITGG. Son of Colonel James Prescott.
Graduated from Harvard in 1T88. He was a fine scholar, but
possessed of an irascible and unfortunate temper, which involved
him in many difficulties which should have been avoided. He
was Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas six years from
June 3, 1805. After servin.q^ sixteen years as Judge of Probate,
he was impeached by the House in 1821, tried by the Senate, and
removed from office on charges which involved no questions of
integrity or moral turpitude. This trial was one of the most
famous in the annals of the General Court. Webster and other
great lawyers participated in it. He died October 14, 1829, aged
sixty-three years.
Hon.SamtJcI Phillips Prescott Fay, of Cambridge, 182 1 to 1856
(35 years) ♦
i^a^n/^<^
Born in Concord May 10, 1778. Graduated from Harvard
in 1798. Appointed a captain in the American aimy, organized
to resist a threatened invasion of the French in 1798. Represen-
tative, 1808-9-10-11-12-15-10-17 and 1820. Member of the
Governor's Council. 1818-19, and of the Constitutional Conven-
tion of 1820. He was Grand Master of Masons in 1820. Over-
seer Harvard College, 1825 to 1852. Died in Cambridge May
18, 185(), aged seventy-eight years.
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HON. GEORGE M. BROOKS, of Concord.
Judge of Probate 1872 to 1893.
From a painting by Bicknell. (See page 199.)
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HON. CHARLES JOHN McINTIRE. of Cambridge.
First Judge of Probate and Insolvency 1893 to date.
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ANCIENT MIDDLKSEX. 199
Hon* William Adams Richardson, of Lowell, 1856 to 1872 (t6
years)*
Born in Tyngsboro November 2, 1821. Graduated from
Harvard in 1843. President Wamesit Bank, Lowell. Member
Common Council, 1849, '53 and '54, President in the latter years.
Member of all the Masonic bodies meeting in Lowell. Secretary
United States Treasury, 1873. Chief Justice Court of Claims
United States from January 21, 1885. Died in Washington, D.
C, October 19, 1896, aged seventy-five years.
Hon« George Merrick Brooks^ of Concord^ t872 to t893 (2t years)
^^
Born in Concord of Revolutionary stock, July 2(), 1824.
Graduated from Harvard in 1844. Representative, 1858; Sena-
tor, 1859; Representative in Congress, 1869 to 1871. A lawyer
by profession. Died in Concord September 22, 1893, aged sixty-
nine years. He was greatly lamented by all classes, especially
by the poor and unfortunate, who respected him for his kindness
of heart and sympathetic counsel and demeanor.
Hon* Charles John Mclntire, of Gtmbridget t893 to date (It
years)*
Born in Cambridge March 26, 1842, and educated in the
public schools. Member of the Common Council, 1866-7;
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200 AXriENT MIDDLESEX.
r)oar(l of Aldermen, ISTT; City Solicitor, 1<S8(): Representative,
lS(0-';(); Assistant District Attorney three years, 18T2 to 1875.
A veteran of the Civil war, having served in the Forty-fourth
Massachusetts Volunteers. Is a member of the G. A. R.. and of
the Massachusetts Society of Colonial Wars, by virtue of descent
from Mbenezer Mackintire of Charlton, a soldier of colonial
times, who was a grandson of Philip Mackintire, a Scotchman
from the Highlands of Argyll, who settled in Reading, Mass.. in
l()ii(). He is also a descendant of Ensign James Kidder, of the
r»illerica Company in King Philip's war, and of Nathaniel Spar-
hawk, of Cambridge, a Representative in the General Court from
Hi 1*2 to liMT. The great-grandfather of Judge Mclntire was
Kzra Mackintire, who marched with the Charlton company of
minutcmen in the days of the Revolution. Judge Mclntire is
sitting as one of the two Judges of Probate and Insolvency, and
bears the title of "First Judge."
Hon. George Field Lawton, of Lowell and Gtmbridge, (894 to
date (10 years).
P>(>rn in Lowell. Mass.. October IT, 1><45. Attended the
public schools of his native city and graduated from Williams in
1N"S. A succe^sful schoolmaster in Lowell for five years, and
superintendent of schools from L^SiJ to ISDl, when he resigned
tc give his attention to the practice of the law. .\(hiiitted to the
bar in ISTT. City Solicitor of Lowell, lssi)-l<ss 1-1 SSM 885, and
188(;; resigned lo accept the position of Superintendent of
Schn(Js. Judge Lawton is a veteran ( f the Civil war, having en-
listed when eighteen years of age, in Comuany G, Sixth Massa-
diusetts Infantry, serving the full period of his enlistment. He
is alro a Worshipful Past Master of Kilwinning Lodge in the
Masonic Fraternity of Lowell. He is sitting as one of the two
Judges of Probate and Insolvency.
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HON. GEORGE FIELD LAWTON. of Lowell and Cambr;dce.
Judge of Probate and Insolvency 1894 to date.
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HON. JAMES WINTHROP, of Cambridge.
Register of Probate 1775 to 1817.
(See page 20'/.)
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 203
REGISTERS OF PROBATE (AND OF INSOL-
VENCY SINCE J858).
Samuel Phipps, of Charlestown, 1692 to t702 (fO years).
Rorn 1(551 . A son of Solomon of the same town. Grad-
uated from Harvard in 1G71. He was a school teacher there
several years. Register of Deeds twenty-eight years, also Clerk
of Courts thirty-four years. Died August 7, 1725, aged seventy-
four years. See also Clerks of Courts.
Dr« Thomas Swan, of Charlcstown, 1702 to 1705 (3 years)*
Born in Roxbury September 15, 1(569. Graduated from
Harvard in 1(589. School teacher in Hadley, 1(589-90, and in
Charlestown 17(J0 to 1702. On November 2, 1702, he was sworn
in as Register of Probate, but probably served only a short time,
as the writing of his successor appears in 1703. Wyman, usually
correct, says he moved to Milton, but no record can be found to
prove it ; on the contrary a petition of his widow addressed to the
General Court sets forth, or makes it apparent, that he died at the
Castle in Boston harbor October 19, 1710, aged forty-one, where
he had been **more than seven years," as physician and surgeon
at that post. "In consideration of his extraordinary Charge and
Pains in the service," the General Court voted to his widow the
sum of £20.
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204: ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
Nicholas Fcsscndcn, 2d> of Cambridge, 1705 to 1709 (4 yearsX
Horn January 12, 1()8(). Graduated from Harvard in 1701.
Master of the Grammar school in Cambridge for many years.
He was son of Nicholas first, who came to America about 1G7J,
and was heir of his uncle John, firf t of the name here. It is
claimed that Nicholas first was ancestor of Hon. William Pitt
Fessenden, of Maine, a statesman and orator of national reputa-
tion. Nicholas second died October 4, 1T19, aged thirty-nine
years.
Daniel Foxcroft, of Cambridge, 1709 to 1 715 (6 years).
''oxcrap/ui^^c^
Son of Francis first. He was a sub-commissary in the expe-
dition against Canada in ITll. Moved to England in 1723,
where he possessed a substantial fortune. Died at Plaistow,
Eng., May 7, 1738.
Rev* Tfiomas Foxcroft, of Cambridge, 1 715 to 1 719 (4 years).
Born February 2(5, l()i)7. Son of Francis first. Graduated
from Harvard in 1714. Ordained as second minister of the First
Church, Boston, November 20, 1717. He was one of the ablest
preachers of his generation, and remained settled over this parish
during fifty-two years. He died June 16, 1769, aged seventy-
three years.
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ISAAC FISKE, OF Weston and Cambridge.
" Register of Probate 1817 to 1851.
(See page 203.)
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ALONZO VALENTINE LYNDE, of Stoneham and Melrose.
Register of Probate 1851 to 1853.
(See page 208.)
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 207
Francis Foxcroft, 2d, of Cambridge, 1719 to 1731 (12 years)*
Son of Francis first. See Registers of Deeds.
Samuel Danforth, of Gimbridge, t73t to 1745 (14 years)*
See Judges of Probate.
Hon. Andrew Bordman, of Cambridge, 1745 to 1769 (24 years)
Born there August 1, ITOl. Graduated from Harvard in
1719. Town Clerk thirty-eight years, from 17JU; Town Treas-
urer twenty-three years, from and inckiding 1747; Representa-
tive, 174 '2 to '51 and 1757 to '()8. inckisive, making twenty-two
years' service in the General Court : Judge Court Common pleas
seventeen years, from 175*2 to 17<)J). Died May 19, 1769, aged
sixty-eight years. His son, Andrew, was special Register on
death of father to next appointment.
William Kneeland, of Cambridge, J769 to J775 (6 years).
A?^fe^z.xS^r
Born in Boston May 28, 1732. Graduated from Harvard
in 1751. He was the first overseer of the poor in Cambridge,
1786. He was President of the Massachusetts Historical Society.
He was a Royalist, and went out of office at the opening of the
Revolution. Died November 2, 1788, aged fifty-six years.
Hon. James Winthrop, of Cambridge, J775 to J8I7 (42 years).
Born March 28, 1752. Son of Professor John of Harvard,
and a descendant in the fifth generation from Governor John
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208 ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
Winthrop. Graduated from Harvard in ITOT. Postmaster Cam-
bridge, 1775. Librarian Harvard College, 1772 to 1787. Judge
Court Common Pleas thirty years (1791 to 1821). One of the
founders of the Massachusetts Historical Society. Died Septem-
ber 2(), 1821. aged sixty-nine years.
James Foster, of Cambridge, May, 181 7, to October, I8J7*
Born April 23, 178(). Graduated from Harvard 18()(). Was
Register of Probate but five months. Died in office August 27,
1817, aged thirty-one years.
Isaac Ffske, of Weston and Cambridge, 1817 to 1851 (34 years)*
jLu. %L, Ay^
Born in Weston December 4, 1778. Graduated from Har-
vard in 1798. He was a successful lawyer in Weston and Cam-
bridge, before assuming the position of Register, an office which
he adorned a longer period ,than any predecessor save Hon.
James Winthrop. He was a member of the Constitutional Con-
vention of 18*20, and Town Clerk of Weston many years. He
lived in a stone mansion which stood on the site of the new reg-
istry building. He was a courteous gentleman of the old school.
Died March 11, 18(;i. aged eiglUy-three years.
Alonzo Valentine Lynde, of Stoneham and Melrose, 1851 to
1853 (2 years).
^hih^K^j^^Q^^
Born in Stoneham of parents in humble circumstances De-
cember 27, 1823. He passed through the public schools of that
town, and so applied himself to study, while teaching as a liveli-
hood, as to be admitted to the Middlesex bar at an early age. At
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ALFRED ABBOTT PRESCOTT. of Reading.
Register of Probate 1853 to 1859.
(See page 2 11.)
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JOSEPH HOW TYLER, of Winchester.
Register of Probate 1859 to 1892.
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 211
the time of his death he was perhaps the senior practicing mem-
l)er thereof. He was a man of wonderful energy, keen and in-
cisive in legal practice, but cautious and conservative in public
and private affairs. By industry and application he amassed a
large estate. He died in Melrose January 23, 1899, aged seventy-
six years.
Alfred Abbott Prcscott, of Readings 1853 to 1859 (6 years)*
L5orn there February 17, 1820. He was the son of Joshua
Prescott, a graduate of Harvard, and a prominent lawyer in his
day. Alfred was a member of the class of 1843, Harvard, but
did not graduate. He became a member of the bar and suc-
ceeded to the practice of his father. He moved to California in
KSTo, where he married. After the death of his wife, sickness
and misfortune overtook him. Broken in health, and without
means he died in deep poverty at the county hospital of San
Joa(|uin County, located at French Camp, CaHfornia, January 19.
1897, aged seventy-seven years. He was buried in the hospital
cemetery, but his remains were afterwards removed to San Fran-
cisco. He was one of the charter members of Putnam Lodge,
A. F. and A. M., of Cambridge.
Joseph How Tyler, of Cambridge and Winchester, 1859 to J892
(33 years)*
Born in Pelham, N. H., February 11, 1825. Was fitted for
college at Phillips Academy, Andover, and graduated at Dart-
mouth, 1851. Admitted to the bar in 1853. Appointed Master
in Chancery, 1855. Settled in Cambridge, where he was a mem-
ber of the Common Council in 18G2 and '03. One of the Alder-
men in 1864-65, and of the school board in 1868, '69 and '70.
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212 AXCIEXT MIDDLESEX.
President of the Cambridge Railroad company, director Cam-
bridge National Bank, and trustee of the East Cambridge Five
Cents Savings Bank. He moved to Winchester in ISTO. where
he became active in town affairs. Was on the school board three
years, a trustee of the public library, and President of the Win-
chester Historical Society. He died July 11. 18!)2, aged sixty-
seven years.
Samuel Hilliard Folsoixv of Winchester, July 27, 1892, to No-
vember, 1904 (J2 years).
Born in Hopkinton, X. H., February *^:^. 1S">(». Fitted for
college at Pembroke. X. H., graduating from Dartmouth in 1851.
Principal of Westford Academy from IS.**! to ISo:], one of his
pupils being Hon. J. Henry Read, who was County Commis-
sioner twenty-one years. Admitted to the Suffolk bar. ISoT.
Was appointed Clerk of Courts pro tern, in ISTl. serving during
the sickness of Benjamin F. Ham, who was succeeded by Theo.
C. Hurd in IST*^. In 1ST4 he was appointed Assistant Register
of Probate and Insolvency, which position he held eighteen years,
until the death of J. H. Tyler, in lS!r>. when he was ai)i)ointed
Register by Governor Russell, and afterwards elected by the
people. In January, 1!M)4. he was stricken with apoi)lexy, which
rendered him absolutely incompetent either to perform the duties
appertaining to his office or to resign. In the month of Xovem-
ber. 1JM)4. a petition was presented to the Supreme Court setting
forth the facts, upon which the office was declared vacant. Mr.
Folsom was a faithful, efficient, and i)opuIar official. He had
been in the probate service since 18T4, covering a period of thirty
years. He was succeeded in office by William Everett Rogers,
late Assistant Register, who was appointed by (Governor Bates.
William Everett Rogers, of Wakefield* Appointed November,
1904-
See Assistant Register.
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SAMUEL HILLIARD FOLSOM, of Winchester.
Register of Probate gnd Insolvency 1892 to 1904.
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WILLIAM EVERETT ROGERS, of Wakefifld.
Register of Probate 1892 to 1904.
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 215
ASSISTANT REGISTERS PROBATE AND
INSOLVENCY* OFFICE CREATED IN J858-
Isaac Francis Jones^ of Qtmbrxdgc, 1858 to 1873 (15 years).
c/^«W.
Born in Weston February 17, 1820. Graduated from
Brown University, 1843. Mr. Jones was a Clerk in the Probate
office as early as 184(5, previous to which he was a teacher. He
was many times Register pro tern, up to 1859, when the office
of Assistant Register was established, and he was appointed the
first incumbent, holding the position until his last sickness. He
died July 10, 1873, aged fifty-three. He married Sarah H. W.,
daughter of Deacon John W. Donallon, a watchmaker in Cam-
bridge, who became somewhat noted as the "Poet Laureate*' of
the **seasons'* in the old Robert B. Thomas Farmer's Almanac.
Samuel Haiiard Folsom, 1873 to 1892 (19 years)*
Afterwards Register.
William Everett Rogers, of Wakefield, 1892 to November 30,
J904(J2 years).
Born at Webster, Mass., July 1(), 1854. Graduated from
Trinity College, Hartford, Conn., 1877. In 1855 his father com-
menced practicing law in Chicago, 111., but dying the following
year, his widow with her young daughter and son removed to the
home of her father. Colonel William Barron, at Norwich, \'t.,
and in 18(J5, for the purpose of educating her children, she
removed to Hartford, Conn., where young Rogers passed his
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21 n AXriEXT MIDDLESKX.
school days, fittinj^ for college in the Hartford high school. In
ISTl) he entered the law school of I>oston I'niversity. Graduated
m 1S80 with an LL. H., admitted to the Xew Hampshire bar in
August, and to the Suffolk bar in November of the same year.
Practiced law in Wakefield and Iioston until 1S92, when he was
appointed Assistant Register by Hon. (icorge M. I>rooks, the
then Judge of Probate. Mr. Rogers lives in Wakefield, is a Re-
publican, and has served his town in various offices. On the
removal of Mr. T'olsom for incapacity, the (iovernor appointed
him tt) fill the vacancv.
Frederick March Esty, of Framingfham, December, 1904, to date.
Q^<^
l»orn in I'ramingham July 27, 18o*^. Son of Hon. C C.
Esty. a distinguished citizen of that town. lulucated in the pub-
lic schools of his native place and at Phillips .\n(lover Academy.
Studied law with (ieorge C. Travis, Es(|.. and was admitted to
the bar in ISS*^. Appointed Deputy Sheriff in January, ItSST, by
the late Sheriff Cushing, serving in that capacity until appointed
a Court Officer for attendance at the sessions of the Supreme
and Superior Courts. Afterwards he was appointed as perma-
nent officer for the Probate Court, where he served eight years
previous to being appointed as Assistant Register of Probate and
Insolvency, to succeed William E. Rogers, advanced to the posi-
tion of Register. He is Right Worshipful District Deputy (irand
Master of the Twentv-first Masonic District.
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AXCTENT MIDDLESEX. 217
Charles Nathan Harris, of Winchester, 1905*
I>orn at Port Byron. III., October fi, lS(i(). Son of Rev.
John L. F[arris. a Congrejs^ational clergyman, who, from 18T'3 to
ISDK filled the pastorate in several Massachusetts parishes.
After fitting for college, he entered the Harvard Law School,
from which he was graduated in 1884. Before his graduation
from the Law School, viz., on June VI. 1882. he was admitted to
the Suffolk bar, and since then has maintained an office in
Boston. I'Vom 18f)l to 1894 Mr. Harris was second assistant
attorney-general during the term of Hon. A. K. Pillsbury. In
1895 he was appointed by Governor (ireenhalge to prepare the
Supplement to the Public Statutes, and in 1900 he was ap-
pointed by (iovernor Crane a member of the commission for the
consolidation and arrangement of the Public Statutes.
In 1902 he prepared the Index to the Revised Laws, and, in
190:5, he assisted in drafting the Act which was subsecpiently
enacted as the lUisiness Corporation Law of l9o:^. Mr. Harris
is also the author of the "Massachusetts Statutory Citations" :
and, in collaboration with (irosvenor Calkins, Esq., of the
Manual of the lUisiness Corporation Laws of Massachusetts.
He also edited the fourth and fifth volumes of the Massachusetts
Digest. In 190.*) he was appointed second assistant register of
probate and insolvency for the county of Middlesex.
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CHARLES NATHAN HARRIS, of Winchester.
Sscond Assistant Register of Probate 1935.
(See page 217.)
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ISAAC FRANCIS JONES, of CAMbRiDOP.
Assistant Register of Probate 1858 to 1873.
(See page 215.)
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FREDERICK MARCH ESTY. jf Fkamin^ham.
Assistant Register of Probate and Insolvency 1904 to date.
(See page 216.)
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AXriKNT MIDDLKSKX.
'i'vM
REGISTERS OF DEEDS, SOUTHERN DIS-
TRICT.
Deputy Gov* Thomas Danforth^ of Cambrids:e, Aprils 1649, to
July 27, 1686 (37 years).
See Clerks of Courts.
dpt* Laurence Hammond, of Charlestown, July 27, 1686, to
April 10, 1693 (7 years)-
See Clerks of Courts.
Gtpt. Samuel Pbipps, of Charlestown, April 10, I693» to April
14, I72I (28 years-)
See Clerks of Courts.
Hon. Francis Foxcroft, of Cambridgfe, April 14, 1 72 1, to April 8,
1766 (45 years)-
Born January '^0, KiJ).*). Son of I'Vancis first, (iraduatcd
from Harvard in ITT^. Clerk of House. Representative. Coun-
cillor, K:Vi to IT.")?: First Justice Court Common Pleas, 1737;
Register Probate ITID-^M. Rej^ster of Deeds forty-five years.
The oldest Justice of the Peace in the county. He was father of
John Foxcroft, Register of Deeds. lT(i()-T(>. Died March 2S,
17(58, aged seventy-three years.
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
John Foxcroft^ of Cambridge, April 8, 1766, to April 22, 1776
(10 years).
r»orn March '2(), IT-ID. Son of Francis second. Graduated
from Harvard in Kr).S. Died in Cambridge, 18D"i, aged sixty-
two years.
Adjutant-General Ebeneser Bridge, of Chelmsford, April 23, 1776,
to March 14, 1761 (5 years).
See Coimtv Treasurers.
Thaddcus Mason, of Charlestown, March 31, t78t, to December
14, 1784 (3 years).
See Clerks of Courts.
Hon. William Winthrop, of Cambridge, December 15, 1784, to
September 27, 1794 (JO years).
Horn April IJ), 175:5. Son of Professor John Winthrop of
Harvard College. A descendant of Ciovernor John Winthrop in
the fifth generation. Graduated from Harvard in 1770. Town
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SAMUEL BARTLETT, of Concord and Cambridgl.
Register of Deeds 1794 to 1821.
(See page 225.)
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CALEB HAYDEN. of Cambridge.
Register of Deeds 1845 to 1865.
From a mask in the possession of Hon. E. D. Hayden, of Woburn.
(See page 226.)
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ANCIKXT MIDDLESEX. 225
Clerk, 1782 to '88. Selectman ten years, between 1T8G and 1802.
Senator, 1799. Died February 5, 1825, aged seventy-two years.
Samuel Bartlett, of Concord and CsLtnhndgCf October 17^ 1794,
to September 29, t&2t (27 years).
Born in White Bread alley, Boston, November 17, 1752.
Son of Captain Roger and Anne Hurd Bartlett, of Charlestown.
He learned the trade of silversmith and pursued the business at
Concord until elected as Register of Deeds, after which he re-
moved to Cambridge, and died there while still in office, Sep-
tember 29, 1821, aged sixty-nine years.
Dr. Wiiliam Fiske Stone, of Framingham and Cambridgfe, Octo-
ber 3, I82I, to September 10, 1845 (24 years).
Born in Framingham April 10, 1784. He was a practicing
physician previous to his election as Register of Deeds. He was
an active member of the New England Historical Genealogical
Society, and a contributor in matters of interest to its member-
ship. After serving twenty-four years as Register he resigned
from ill health and died at Cambridge March 26, 1857, aged
seventy-three years.
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226 ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
Caleb Hayden, of Cambridg:e, September ii, 1845, to Match 13,
1865 (20 yean).
Born in Scituate September 6, 1T97. Son of Daniel and
Xancy (Doane) Hayden. He had only the common school edu-
cation of the early years of the last century, but was a lover of
books, and read and enjoyed only the best. He was a Whig at
first, but afterwards a life-long Republican, and a Unitarian in
religious belief. He was a quiet, genial, unassuming gentleman,
ever attentive to his official duties, and courteous to all. He was
never married. Hon. Edward D. Hayden, of Woburn, formerly
a member of Congress, was his nephew. He died (less than a
month after the commencement of his last sickness) April G,
18G5, aged sixty-eight years.
Lieut* Charles Benjamin Stevens, of CAmhridgCf March 13, 1865,
to December 30, 1896 (3 J years).
yOl\cLH3l'^tXi^x/u\jA /ic^
Born November 7, 1818. Member Cambridge Common
Council 18<)4-()5. In 1834, at the age of sixteen, he entered the
office of Registry of Deeds as a clerk. In 18(55 he was elected
Register, being constantly re-elected until his death. With the
exception of nine months as First Lieutenant. Company A,
Forty-seventh Massachusetts X'olunteers, in the Civil war, he was
in the service of the County of Middlesex sixty-two years. He
died December 30, 189G, aged seventy-eight, filled with years and
honor.
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CHARLES BENJAMIN STEVENS, of Cambridge.
Register of Deeds 1865 to 1896.
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EDWIN OTIS CHILDS, of Newton.
Register of Deeds, Southtrn District, 1897 to date.
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AX^IEXT MIDDLESEX. 229
Edwin Otis Childs, of Newton, January 4, 1897, to date.
Born in Milledgeville, Ga., September 29, 1847. Educated
in the public schools in Springfield, Mass., Phillips (Andover)
Academy, and Williams College, class of 18T1. Appointed As-
sistant City Clerk and Treasurer of the City of Newton, January
5, 18T4, and served in that capacity until January 1, 1870. Janu-
ary 3, 187(), unanimously elected City Clerk of Newton, and was
re-elected each succeeding year until he resigned April 1, 1883,
to accept the position of Treasurer of the Harvard Clock com-
pany, which position he held until 1888, when he resigned.
Served as Alderman of Ward 1 of the City of Newton during the
years 1888 and 1889. Was appointed Deputy Sheriff and Court
Officer in 1891, and served in that position until January 4, 1897.
when he was appointed by the County Commissioners Register of
Deeds for the Middlesex South District to fill the vacancy caused
by the death of Charles 15. Stevens. In November, 1897, he was
elected to fill the unexpired term, and has been constantly re-
elected since that time.
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230 ANCIEXT MIDDLESEX.
ASSISTANT REGISTERS OF DEEDS, SOUTH-
ERN DISTRICT.
(See Acts of 1873, Chap. 19, Sec. 1.)
Lietstenant-Colonel Henry Atherton Stevens, of Ombridge,
1883 to 1895 (12 years).
yiv
Born in Cambridge October 25, 1848. Son of Charles R.
Stevens, late Register of Deeds. Educated in the public schools
of his native city. He was appointed a Clerk in the Registry, in
which position he served until he became Assistant Register,
April 4, 1883, serving in that capacity imtil the day of his death.
From 1ST3 to 18T5 he was a member of Company A, Fourth
Battalion Massachusetts \'oIunteer Militia, rising to the rank of
corporal. In 1882 and 188() he was sergeant of the A. H. A.
Company. In 18T(> he was appointed Assistant Inspector-Gen-
eral ^lassachusetts Militia, with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel.
He was also a member of the Masonic Fraternity. Died Febru-
ary 19, 1895. aged forty-seven years.
Edward Htitchinsfs Thompson, of QaxcktiA^t^ January, 1896,
to January, J897.
Born in Boston September IG, 1850. Educated in the Bos-
ton public schools. Began work as Clerk in the Registry of
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LIEUTENANT-COLONEL HENRY ATHERTON STEVENS, of Cambridge.
Assistant Register of Deeds, Southern District, 1883 to 1895.
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EDWARD HUTCHINGS THOMPSON, of Cambridge.
Assistant Register of Deeds, Southern District, January, 1896, to January, 1897.
(See page 230.)
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AXCIENT MIDDLESEX. 233
Deeds (South District) under Charles B. Stevens, Register, June
17, 1S72. Appointed Assistant Register by the late Charles B.
Stevens January 27, lS9i), served as Assistant Register until the
appointment of Edwin O. Childs, Esq., by the County Commis-
sioners as Register January *2, 1S9T. Appointed superintendent
of the indexing department by Edwin (). Childs, Register, Janu-
ary 5, 18J)T, a position which he held until his decease, January
13, 1905, aged fifty-five years.
Thomas Leigbton, Jr*, 1897 to date*
Was born in Cambridge October 30, 1870. Was
educated in the public schools of that city, and entered Middlesex
South District Registry of Deeds August 11, 1885. as messenger,
under Charles B. Stevens, Register. Was appointed Assistant
Register of Deeds under Edwin (). Childs, Register, January 8,
1897, which position he holds at the present time.
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234 ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
REGISTERS OF DEEDS OF THE NORTHERN
DISTRICT.
(Established July 1, 1855. See Chap. TO, Acts and Resolves.)
Asahel Bliss Wright, of Lowell, 1855 to 1868 (13 years).
r
Born at Royalton, \'t., Xovember 5, 1819. In early life he
became a citizen of Lowell, and was a compositor upon the
Lowell Courier. In 1854 he was a representative to the Legisla-
ture, and in 1855 became the first Register of Deeds for the
Xorthern District. He was an active and consistent member of
the First l>aptist church of Lowell, of which he was deacon. His
Christian character is cherished by the church and the com-
munity in which he moved to the present day. After leaving
Lowell, he established himself as a conveyancer in Boston, and
(bed in Dorchester August 10, 1800. aged seventy-one years.
Rev. Itbamar Warren Beard, of Lowell, 1868 to September, 1873
(6 years).
Born in Pittsfield, N. II., February 5>3, 1840. Son of the
late Hon. Ithamar W. Beard, of Lowell, who was Assistant
Ignited States Treasurer under the administration of President
Pierce, and a brother-in-law of Moses Xorris, I'nited States
Senator from New Hampshire. The subject of this sketch
passed through the public schools of Lowell, and fitted for col-
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THOMAS LEIGHTON. Jr . of CAMbRiDGE.
Assistant Register of Deeds. Southern District, 1897 to da'e.
(See page 233.)
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ASAHEL BLISS WRIGHT, of Lowell.
The First Register of Deeds. Northern District, 1855 to 1868.
(See page 234.)
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 237
lege at the Cambridge High School and Lawrence Academy,
Groton. Entered Harvard in 1858, but left in his junior year to
enlist in the Civil War. On account of his father's sickness, he
was obliged to resign a commission in the Nineteenth Massachu-
setts Regiment and leave the service. He studied law with D. S.
and G. F. Richardson in Lowell, and was admitted to the bar in
18()4. Received the degree of A. B. from Harvard College in
1870. During his second term as Register of Deeds, he prepared
himself for the ministry of the Protestant Episcopal Church, re-
ceiving the degree of 15. D. from the theological school of that
sect in Cambridge June 15, 1873, and became Rector of Saint
James Church, South Groveland, Mass., July, 1873, after which
he resigned the position of Register of Deeds. He remained at
Groveland until November 1, 1870, when he was called to be the
Rector of Saint Thomas's Church, Dover, N. H., where he served
with marked success until January 1, 18J)J), a period of twenty-
three years. During his work in Dover, a new church edifice
and a rectory were erected, and the membership increased from
eighty-seven to two hundred and fifty. Since January 1, 189J),
he has acted as chaplain of the "Chapel of the (iood Shepherd"
on Hlackwcirs Island, in the city of New York, in connection
with the New York City Home for the Aged and Infirm.
Georgfe A* McEvoyt of LowelK
QuaAMj^trJ
Acted as Assistant Register from the resignation of Mr.
r»eard, about September 15, 1873, until the election and qualifica-
tion of Captain Thompson. His name last appears January 8,
1874, in that capacity. Mr. McEvoy is at present an esteemed
citizen of Lowell, engaged in mercantile pursuits.
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Rlv. ITHAMAR warren beard, of Lowell.
Register of Deeds. Northern District. 1868 to 1873.
(See page 234.)
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JOSEPH PAINE THOMPSON, cf Lowell.
Register of Deeds. Northern District, 1874 to date.
(See page 240.)
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240 ANCIENT MIDDLKSEX.
dptam Joseph Paine Thompson, of Lowell, 1874 to date*
fiMu^/Cfpf
Born in Hrownfield, Me., April 11. 1830. Came to Lowell
in 1849, vvorkinjTf first in a brick-yard, next with the Middlesex
corporation, and finally ran a clothing store. Becoming imbued
with the spirit of patriotism he sold out his store at a sacrifice,
and raised a company for the Thirty-third Massachusetts \'olun-
teers, with which he went to war as Second Lieutenant. In 18()3
he was promoted to First Lieutenant, and in 18(>5 to Captain.
He was connected with the staff of General Hooker at Lookout
Mountain, and was with General Sherman in his march from At-
lanta to the sea. He has been Register of Deeds, Northern Dis-
trict, since January, 1874.
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 241
COUNTY ATTORNEYS.*
Hon* Samuel Dana^ of Groton and Charlestown, )S07 to tSfl
(4 years)*
^^^^S^##^/^<^ •£)^^*^-x^^x^
Iiurn in Groton June 20, ITliT. Postmaster there, 1800 to
1.^04. Representative, 1803, 1825, 182(), 1827. Senator, 1805-
180(>-18()7-1808-1809-1810-1811-1812 and 1817. President of the
Senate 1807-11, and 1812. Representative in Congress, 1811
and 1815. Member of the Constitutional Convention of 1820,
and Presidential Eleetor same year. Chief Justice Circuit Court
Common Pleas from October 14, 181 (J. Died November 20,
1835, aged sixty-eight years. Judge Dana's education was of
the most ordinary character, supplemented by such assistance as
he received from his father, who was a Harvard graduate, and
minister at (iroton for many years. It would not have been
deemed sufficient for entry at Harvard, had it been possible for
his father to have assumed the expenses incident thereto. Not-
withstanding this, he became a great lawyer, and divided high
honors with Hon. Timothy Higelow as the ablest advocate at
the bar in Xorthern Middlesex. During much of his official
career he resided in Charlestown in a colonial mansion which
stood on the southerly slope of Ikmker Hill, overlooking the
navy yard and the harbor of Boston. He was a man of fine per-
sonality, both physically and mentally. He was six feet and one
inch in height, and a gentleman in the most liberal interpretation
♦From 1780 to 1807 there appears to have been no regularly-
appointed County Attorneys. Under the provisions of Chap. 18. Sec. 1,
of the Acts of 18(n, the Governor was authorized to appoint •' County
Attorneys" to prosecute criminal cases in their respective counties.
Chap. 180, Sec. J), of the Acts of 1832 constituted Middlesex and Essex
as the "Xorthern District for the administration of criminal law." In
1848. by Chap. 16, Sec. 1, Essex was constituted as the ''Eastern District,"
thus leaving Middlesex alone in the "Xorthern District." Under a pro-
vision of the Constitution adopted in 1855, District Attorneys have since
been elected by the people.
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242 ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
of the character. Xo picture of this distinguished man was ever
painted, as he was strangely adverse to anything of the kind,
which is regrettable. He was father of Cieneral James Dana.
Mr. Bigelow was a FederaUst, and commanded a mihtia
company in Groton composed exchisively of members of that
party, while Mr. Dana was a Democrat, and commanded a com-
pany in the same town composed entirely of those of his political
faith. Both of these able men were great lovers of horse flesh,
and kept only the best. It must have been an inspiring scene
to witness their drives from (iroton to Concord Court, "hip and
tie," as seems to have been their usual custom. .After Mr. Dana
moved back to Groton from Charlestown, he cultivated one of
the finest and most attractive estates in Middlesex, which finally
passed into the hands of Hon. Timothy Fuller, his successor in
the office of County Attorney. Mr. Dana was postmaster oi
Groton, and it may be interesting to note that in 1800 the quar-
terly receipts of his office amounted to $:5 ! He delivered man v
notable Masonic orations, and was secretary of Saint Paul's
Lodge, Groton.
Hon. Timothy FuQer, of Ca,tnhridgCf fSff to f8(3 (2 years).
Born in Chilmark, July 11, 1778. Graduated from Harvard
with second honors in ISOl. Representative. IS^o, 1827-1831.
Speaker of House, 1825. Senator, 181:5 to 181G. Councillor,
1828. Representative in Congress, 1817 to 1825. He was a
man of considerable ability, both as a lawyer and statesman.
He was the father and early tutor of that ecccMitric and ex-
traordinary literary genius, Sarah Margaret Fuller (Marchioness
de Ossoli), who was reading Latin at six years of age, and at
twenty-six was a close friend of Emerson, Hawthorne, and Chan-
ning, and had earned the title of the "Priestess of Transcen-
dentalism/' She was perhaps the earliest, and certainly the
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HON. TIMOTHY FULLER, of Cambridge.
County Attorney 1811 to 1813.
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HON. ASAHEL STEARNS, LL. D.. cf Can:bridge.
County Attorney 1813 lo 1832.
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 245
ablest, advocate of women's rights. Her tragic death, with that
of her husband and son, by shipwreck, near the entrance to the
harbor of Xew York, more than fifty years ago, is still remem-
bered and regretted. Timothy Fuller died in (iroton October
1, IS.Sr), of Asiatic cholera, aged fifty-seven years.
Hon. Asahel Steams, of Chelmsford, Charlestown, and Gim-
bridge, J8I3 to 1832 (J9 years).
'^cLjr-'yy^
Horn in Lunenburg June IT, 1774. Graduated from Har-
vard in 1707. Preceptor of (iroton Academy, afterwards settled
in that portion of Chelmsford now Lowell. Representative Gen-
eral Court, 1817. Senator, 1811?, 1830, and 1831. Representa-
tive in Congress, 1815 to 1817. In the legal profession he was
distinguished for his great knowledge of the law. **Real Ac-
tions," published by him in 18'^4, is standard authority to this
day. Harvard College, wherein he was "University Professor of
Law" from 1817 to 183J), conferred upon him the degree of
LL.i). in 18*^.*). In 183'^ he was appointed a Commissioner on
Revision of the General Statutes. He died in Cambridge Feb-
ruary 5, 1839, aged sixty-five years.
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HON. ASAHEL HUNTINGTON, of Salem.
District Attorney 1832 to 1845.
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 247
DISTRICT ATTORNEYS.
Hon. Asahel Huntington, of Salem, 1832 to 1845 ((3 years).
iJc^H^^i^^^
Born in Topsfield July 23, 1798. Son of a celebrated min-
ister of his time, whose descendants are eminent in his profession
to the present day. Graduated from Yale in 1819. Settled in
Salem, where he remained during the balance of an active career.
Representative, 1827, 1829, 1831. Member of the Constitutional
Convention of 1853, and Mayor of Salem the same year. From
1832 to 1845, when Middlesex and Essex formed the Northern
District, he was District Attorney, and conducted with marked
ability some of the most famous criminal cases in the annals of
the court, having as antagonists such lawyers as Webster and
Choate. In 1851 he w^as elected Clerk of Courts of Essex, and
died in office September 5, 1870, aged seventy-two years. The
panegyrics pronounced after his decease by distinguished mem-
bers of the bench and bar were highly eulogistic and sympa-
thetic.
Hon. Albert Hofaart Nelson, of Wofaurn, J845 to J848 (3 yearsX
Born in Carlisle (or Milford, Mass.), March 12, 1812. Gradu-
ated from Harvard in 1832. Senator, 1848-1849. Member of
the Council. 1855. Appointed Chief Justice of the Superior
Court, County of Suffolk, in 1855. A good lawyer and fine
speaker. He broke down mentally and became an inmate of the
McLean asylum, Somerville, where he died. His wife was a
daughter of Elias Phinney, of Lexington, Clerk of Courts many
years. Died June 27, 1858, aged forty-six years.
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HON. ALBERT HOBART NELSON, of Woburn.
District Attorney 1845 to 1348.
(See paj:e 247.)
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HON. CHARLES RUSSELL TRAIN, of Framingham and Boston.
District Attorney 1848 to 1851 and from 1853 to 1855.
(See page 251.)
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ISAAC STEVENS MORSE, of Lowell and Cambridge.
District Attorney 1855 to 1872.
* (See page 252.)
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ANCIKNT MIDDLKSKX. Ofil
Horn Oiarlcs RtisscII Train, of Framingham, J848 to J85J (3
years).
a4>y\^^
Born in Franiing^liani October 1<S, ISIT. Ciraduated from
r>ro\vn University in 18:57. Representative from Kramingham,
1847 and 1848, from Hoston, 18()8, 18:0 and 1871. He was
Jnnior (irand Warden of the (irand Lodj^^e, A. V. and A. M., of
^fassachnsetts, in 18r)(), and Deputy Cirand Master in 1859.
Representative in Conj^ress, 1859 to 18();i. Councillor, 1857 and
1858, Member of the Constitutional Convention in 185;{. A
member of Common Ccnmcil. I*oston, 18()7, 18<i8. Attorney-
(leneral Massachusetts. 187'^ to 1878, Assistant Adjutant-
(ieneral staff Cieneral (iordon in the Civil war. Was in the
battle of Antietam. He was a lawyer and statesman of ability
and prominence. Died at North Conway, X. H.. July '^D. 1885,
aged sixty-eight years.
Lieutenant Asa W. Farr, of Lowell, I85I to 1853 (2 years).
r>orn in Sharon, \'t., 18*il. In 1811 he was a citizen of
Lowell; in 1844 a printer connected .with the *'\'ox Populi,'*
which it is said that he edited at one time: in 1845 he ])ecame a
lawyer, and in 1847 was associated with IJenjamin F. lUitler,
under the firm name of I hitler and I^^arr. lienjamin 1\ lUitler,
his partner, first appeared in a Lowell directory printed by Leon-
ard Huntress in 1841 as a "student at law" with William Smith.
Mr. I^'arr was appointed District Attorney by (Governor Houtwell,
and removed by his successor, suffering a fate meted out to most
of the officials of his political faith. Disheartened and disgusted
he soon went West, settling in Geneva, Walworth County, Wis-
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252
AXriEXT MIDDLESEX.
consin, from which place he was a member of the Wisconsin As-
sembly in 18r)(). He was a hero of the Civil war and gave his
life to his country. This is the record as it stands in the office
of the Adjutant-Cieneral of Wisconsin: —
'* Commissioned Quartermasier Third Regiment Wisconsin
Cavalry Volunteers, November 25, ISfJl, to rank same date. Sec-
ond Lieutenant May 7, 18(J2. First Lieutenant and Quartermas-
ter, November 28, 18()2. Killed in action October 0, 1803, at
Tiaxter Springs, Kansas.** Aged forty-two years.
Hon* Charles R* Ttain^ 1853 to 1855 (2 years)*
liefore mentioned.
Isaac Stevens Morse, of Lowell and Cambridsfe, 1855 to 1872
(17 years).
l>orn in Haverhill, N. IL, December 27, 1817. City Solici-
tor Lowell, isr)() to 18.*)'^. Representative (Jeneral Court, ISGO.
His career as an official was long, able, and efficient. He died in
Boston, December *^7, 18J)(>, aged seventy-nine years.
John Benton Goodrich, of Newton, J872 to J874 (2 years).
Born in Fitchburg, January 7, 183(». Graduated from Dart-
mouth in 1857, From 1859 to 1865 he resided in Watertown,
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JOHN BENTON GOODRICH, of Newton.
Disirict Attorney 1872 to 1874.
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GEORGE STEVENS, of Lowell.
District Allorney 1874 to 1879.
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 255
«
where he served upon the school committee. After settHng in
Newton he was continued upon the school committee of that
city during several years, and was a member of the General Court,
18(59 and 1870. He was Past Master of Pequossette lodge, F.
and A. M. His ancestry was of strong New England blood.
William Goodrich came over with Sir Richard Saltonstall, and
was in Watertown as early as 1(>;M, afterwards pushing into the
wilderness around Fitchburg. Another ancestor was Deacon
David Goodrich, who commanded a company at Bunker Hill,
and who had a son, John, in the same fight, from whom the
Christian name descended to the subject of this sketch. Mr.
Goodrich was a good lawyer, a fluent and effective speaker, and h
man of charming personality. He died in Boston January 11.
1900, aged sixty-four years.
George Stevens, of Lowell, October 17, 1874, to 1879 (5 years).
H^^(j(mZI$_^
Born in Stoddard, X. H., October 'i:?, 18*^4. Graduated
from Dartmouth in 184JK After spending some time as a
teacher, he settled in Lowell, where he gained an excellent repu-
tation at the bar. Representative, l.sriS, and City Solicitor in
lS(i7 and 'C»8. He was a man of learning and a Christian gentle-
man. It is related of him that it was his custom, while at family
devotions, to read a chapter of the Bible, which was repeated by
his wife, his son, and his daughter in different languages. Died
in Lowell June G, 1881, aged sixty years.
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HON. JOHN WILKES HAMMOND, of Cambridge.
District Attorney 1879 to 1880.
(See page 258).
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HON. WILLIAM BURNHAM STEVENS, of Stoneham.
District Attorney 1880 to 1890.
(See page 258.)
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258 ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
Hon. John Wilkes Hammond, of Cambridgfc, September 6, 1879,
toI88a
Born in Mattapoisett. of parents in mcxlerate circumstances,
December ICJ. 1837. After passing through the public schools,
by earnest application he was finally enabled to gather together a
sufficient sum to enter Tufts College, from which he graduated
with high honors in 1861, but burdened with a debt of $500. He
taught school awhile and then enlisted in Company I, Third
Massachusetts \'olunteers, serving until the close of his enlist-
ment. After his discharge from the service he taught in Wake-
field, and was principal of the Melrose high school in ISGr). In
186G he settled in Cambridge and commenced the practice of law.
He was Representative in 1872 and 1S73, and City Solicitor from
1873 to March 10, 1886, when he was appointed a Justice of the
Superior Court, from which he was advanced in 1898 to the
bench of the Supreme Judicial Court, where he now sits.
Hon* WfUiam Btimham Stevens, of Stoneham, (880 to (890
(JO years).
\a!.
Born there March 23, 1S43. Graduated from Dartmouth in
ISt)'). A veteran of the Civil war, having served as a private in
Company C, Fiftieth Massachusetts \'olunteers. After retiring
from the position of District Attorney, he practiced law with dis-
tinction for several years. He wrote and published an exceed-
ingly able and interesting history of his native town. Was ap-
pointed in 1898 as a Justice of the Superior Court, in which ca-
pacity he is now serving.
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PATRICK HENRY COONEY, of Natick.
District Attorney 1890 to 1893.
(See page 261.)
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FREDERICK NEWTON WIER. of Lowell,
Cjstiict Attorney 1893 to 1902.
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 261
Patrick Henry Cooncy, of Natick, 1890 to 1893 (3 years)*
Born in Stockbridge. Mass., December 20, 1845. He was
educated in the Natick high school, from which he graduated,
and at the Allen English and Classical school, West Newton, and
was admitted to the bar in Suffolk County in 1868, since which
time he has practiced in Boston and in Natick. In 1880 he was
appointed Assistant District Attorney, and held the office until
1890, when he was elected District Attorney, having received the
nomination of both parties. In 1893 he declined to be again a
candidate, and retired from the office, since which time he has
been engaged largely in defending corporations, principally the
West End and the Boston Elevated, in accident and land damage
cases. He served on the school committee in Natick four years,
and has been Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Leonard
Morse Hospital the past ten years.
Frederick Newton Wier, of Lowell, 1893 to 1902 (9 ycars^
Born in Lowell, July 4, 1861. Graduated from the public
schools and fitted for college in the Lowell high school. Gradu-
ated from Amherst College, class of '82. In business for three
years. Then studied law at the Boston LIniversity Law school
and in the office of J. M. Marshall in Lowell ; graduated from the
Law school with the degree of LL. B. in 1887. and admitted to
the bar in Middlesex County in the same year. Was in the office
of Hon. A. L. Pillsbury, of Boston, until January, 1889, when a
partnership was formed with Larkin T. Trull, in Lowell, under
the firm name of Trull & Wier. Served as a member of the
House of Representatives of the Massachusetts Legislature dur-
ing the years 1891 and 189^. Now practicing law in Boston and
Lowell.
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GEORGE AUGUSTUS SANDERSON, of Ayer.
District Attorney 1902 to date.
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 263
Georgfc Ausfustus Sanderson^ 1902 to date*
Born at the old Sanderson homestead in the westerly part of
Littleton, Mass., July 1, 1803, being one of the fifth generation
of Sandersons born in the same house. He is the only son of
George W. and Charlotte E. (Tuttle) Sanderson. In 1750 his
father's ancestors settled in Littleton, contemporaneously with
those of his mother, the Ipswich Tuttles. Mr. Sanderson's early
education was acquired in the schools of his native town. He
prepared for college at Lawrence Academy, Groton, Mass. In
1885 he graduated from Yale University, and from the Boston
University Law school in 1887, being admitted to the bar the
same year. He began practice in Boston at once, still retaining
his residence in Littleton, until his removal to Ayer in 1897.
After his admission to the bar, and while residing in Littleton, he
conducted a class at the Massachusetts Reformatory at Concord
each Sunday, going in the morning and spending the day there.
He relinquished this work when appointed to the office of Assist-
ant District Attorney in January, 1893, which office he held con-
tinuously to January 1, 1902. At the State election, November
5, 1901, he was elected District Attorney. During his residence
in Littleton he was several times chosen moderator of its town
meetings, and since living in Ayer he has often been called upon
to perform the same duties. For several years he was a member
of the school committee of Littleton, being chairman of the board
at the time of his removal from that town. Since his school days
at Lawrence Academy, Mr. Sanderson has had the prosperity of
that institution at heart, for several years serving as a member of
the Trustees, and at the present time as President of the Board.
He is a member of the Episcopal church, and of the Masonic
fraternity.
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JOSEPH GIBSON HOLT, of Cambridge.
Assistant District Attorney 1875.
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 205
ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEYS.
Captain Theodore Qarence Hard^ 1865 to 1872 (7 years).
See County Clerks.
Hon. Charles John Mclntire, 1872 to (875 (3 years).
See Judge of Probate.
Joseph Gibson Holt, of Cambridgfe^ 1875^ one term of Court.
Born in Hennikcr, X. H., March 1). 18o0. Son of X'arnuni
S. and Caroline Susan (Gibson) Tlolt. He was educated at Law-
rence Academy, Croton, and after attending law lectures at Har-
vard, entered the office of Judge J. P. Richardson, of Cambridge.
In due time he was admitted to the bar, and since then has con-
fined his attention to the practice of the law in Suffolk and Mid-
dlesex. For many years he was an active factor in local, county,
and state politics, but did not care to hold office himself, having
refused a nomination to the Legislature when it was offered by
both parties. He was, however. Clerk of the Cambridge Com-
mon Council from lS(n to 1S(»(», and later on a member of that
body.
In the direct line he is descended from Nicholas Holt, of
Newbury and Andover. who came to America in U)3r), and of
whom it is related that he, with ten others, walked from Newbury
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GILBERT ABIEL ABBOT PEVEY. of Cambridge.
Assistant District Attorney 1890 to 1893.
(S2 5 page 269.)
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 267
to Cambridge (forty miles) to record their votes for the election
of John Winthrop as Governor, who was running against the
famous, though unfortunate, Sir Harry Vane, a "champion of the
rights of men and a foe to every tyranny," who was afterwards
beheaded in England. On his mother's side he is descended
from John Gibson, who was an inhabitant of Cambridge as early
as 1634, and who probably came over with the Braintree com-
pany in 163*^, or with Rev. Thomas Hooker in 1633.
Henry Hcddcn Winslow, of Cambridgfc, J875 to J880 (5 years).
Born in Elizabeth, X. J., May o, 1847. Son of a sea cap-
tain, who made his home in New iiedford, where the boy was
educated, graduating from the High School May '^1, 1861, at the
age of seventeen. One week from that date he shipped on board
the whaler **James Arnold," cruising in the Atlantic until No-
vember 4, 18()5. In 18()() he again shipped on the same vessel
and sailed around the world. This cruise occupied over three
years, and was very successful. The catch of the trip was about
3,000 barrels of sperm, some of which was sold as high as $2.M')
per gallon. In 18T0 he conuncnced to read law with the firm of
Chandler, Thayer & Hudson, a very distinguished aggregation
of lawyers, Mr. Thayer becoming Professor of Law at Harvard,
and Mr. Hudson President of the l>ell Tele])hone Company. He
graduated at the Harvard Law School in LST"^. Moved to Cam-
bridge in 18T6, where he has practiced law ever since, having an
office also in I>oston. He was one of the Bar Examiners from
1886 until the appointment of the State Board of Bar Examiners
in 1897. Is a member of the Masonic Fraternity. Has held no
public office other than that of an Overseer of the Poor of the
City of Cambridge.
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HENRY HEDDEN WINSLOW. of Cambridge.
Assistant District Attorney 1875 to 1880.
(See page 267.)
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 269
Patrick Henry Cooncy, 1880 to J890 (10 years)*
See District Attorney.
Gilbert Abiel Abbot Pevey, of Cambridgfe, 1890 to 1893 (3 yearsX
Born in Lowell August 22, IS.")!. Son of Abiel and Louisa
(Stone) Pevey. They were both of old New Hampshire stock.
On his mother's side he is descended from a great-grandfather
who was with Washington at Valley Forge, and on his father's
side from a grandfather who served in the Revolutionary army.
Peter Pevey. one of his paternal uncles, was a Captain in the War
of 1812, and died at the age of ninety-five. His mother is still
living, at the age of ninety-one, having remarkable mental and
physical strength. He was one of the Carney Medal scholars at
the Lowell High School, and graduated from Harvard in 187;i
having won several scholarship prizes. Studied law in the office
of Hon. Theodore H. Sweetser, with whom he subsequently
went into partnership, and so remained until the death of that
able lawyer, after which he became associated with Colonel John
H. George, Attorney for the P>oston & Lowell Railroad. In
1893 he was elected City Solicitor of Cambridge, a position which
he still continues to manage with signal fidelity, skill, and ability.
He is a member of the Masonic order, being affiliated with the
lodge, chapter, and commandery in Cambridge. He is also an
Odd Fellow, and is connected with many social clubs in the Uni-
versity City. In religion he is an active and earnest Baptist, and
in politics a Republican.
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HUGH BANCROFT, of Cambridge.
Assistant District Attorney 1902 to date.
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ANriEXT MIDDLKSKX. 271
Gcotgc Augisstus Sanderson, 1893 to 1902 (9 ycarsX
See District Attorney.
Hugh Bancroft, of Cambridgfc, January (, (902, to date«
|^4..>cv^6i ^^LH.c.<A^(>^p5
Born in Canilmdge, September i;5, 1S79. Son of Major-
General William A. Bancroft. (Iraduate of Harvard in 1SJ)7.
Member of the winning University crew in 18J)J); also of the
crew in 1900 and 1901. Admitted to the bar in February, I!)()l,
and began the practice of law the following August, with Judge
Arthur P. Stone and Hon. F. W. Dallinger. Enlisted in Com-
pany B. Fifth Infantry, M. V. M., July 4, 18J)-I, as IVivate, later
Corporal and Sergeant. September 13, 18J)7, Captain and Kn-
gineer on the StafT Second Brigade. April 17, 11)();5, commis-
sioned Lieutenant-Colonel and Assistant Adjutant-General Sec-
ond Brigade, M. V. M. During the Spanish war he served as
First Lieutenant and Adjutant of the Fifth Massachusetts In-
fantry.
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272 AXCIEXT MIDDLESEX.
SUPPLEMENT.
Containinji; likenesses of the present Associate County Com-
missioners ; the Special Sheriff ; the Deputy Sheriffs ; the Court
( )fficers : the Probation Officers of the Superior Criminal Court :
and the Heads of Departments now in service, all beings alpha-
betically arranged for convenient reference.
Associate County Q>mmfssfoners*
Hon. Kdward Everett Thompson. ex-Mayor of VVoburn. Born
there December IS, 18*^G. Elected in 1S77.
David Tompkins Strange, of Stoneham. Bom in Dighton,
Mass.. July '^7, ISIT. Elected in 1891).
Keeper of the Cztnhtidgc Jail and Master of the Hotsse of
Correction*
John R. Fairbairn. See page 1()4.
Deputy Masters of Hotsse of Correction and the Cambridsfe JaiL
Ransom W illard, of Cambridge. Born in Rockingham, Wind-
ham County, \'t., July 13, ISIT. Appointed an officer in the
House of Correction in 18S2.
(icorge Walter Cushing, of Cambridge. Born in Abington.
Mass., October J>, 1S44. First appointed Deputy Keeper of
Lowell Jail in 1S9;J.
N(»TK. In this collection will be found two of the •* tried and faithful "
who have passed away during the present generation, viz.: Captain John
M. Fisk, a Deputy Sheriff for many years, afterwards and until the day
of his death, Special Sheriff. Master of the House of Correction, and
Keeper of the Cambridge Jail. He was born in Framingham and died in
Cambridj^e. May :i, iwm, aged 57 years. Colonel Jefferson Bancroft, of
Lowell : three times mayor of that city; Warden of the State Prison and
Nestor of all county officials since the Colonial period, having served as
Deputy Sheriff fifty-three years until his death, January 3, 1890, in the
eighty-seventh year of his age. He was born in Warwick, Mass., April
30, 1803.— [Eu.
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'^74 ANCIENT MIDDLKSEX.
Keeper of the Lowell JaiL
Alvali Smith l»aker, of Lowell. L>orn in \eazie. Mc. March
1:5, 18()'^. Appointed Keeper, 1S1)1>. Appointed Deputy
SheriflF. 1SSI».
Physician and Surgeon of the Cambridge Jail.
lulward Ko^wcll I'tlev, of Xewtuii. Horn in Dedhani, Mass..
Aiij^nisi IS. lS(;->. Appointed Jnly IS. 1S'M>.
Superintendent of Brush Department, House of Correction*
C harles Francis Kenney, of Cambridge. LJorn July 1'), 1S4L at
Passadumkeag. Me. Ai)i)ointe(l an officer of the House of
Correction February lo, lST'3.
Probation Officers of Superior Criminal Court*
James JVHrie Ramsay, of Lowell. liorn in Arbroath, Scotland.
April c50. 1S(>1. Probably the first person in the I'nited
States to operate an Interlocking Switch and Signal Tower.
}fe was in charge of the Lowell Tower twenty years.
.Member of the Legislature in 1SJ)T and ISDS.
Kev. Robert Walker, of Cambridge. Born in Waltham January
•M, 1S()S. ( Graduated from Trinity College, Hartford, in
1S!)1. In 1S!M was ordained rector of Church of the Ascen-
sion, Cambridge, where he now preaches. Member of the
Cambridge School Committee, and Chai)lain of the House
of Correction.
Chief Official Court Stenographer*
I :iac Irving Doanc. of Winchester. Iiorn in ( )rleans, ^lass.,
J'lnnary !«;, ls.*)(). Aj)p()inted September, ISS.5.
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'*7i) ANCIENT MIDDLKSKX.
Special ShcrifL Sec Chap. J67, Acts J880.
( ltH)rj^e Washington Webb Saville, of Maiden. I>orn in Quincy.
Mass.. I'ebruary. 1S:5;J. Appointed October 10, IcSJM). Sec
Court ( )fficers.
Deputy Sheriffs* Sec Chap* 44, Acts J 783 ; also statutes of J 699
Joseph Henry IJuck, of Wobnrn. I>orn in Stonehani June 4,
IS Hi. Ai)pointed January, 1!M)2.
lidward Warren Clark, of Tewksbury. I>orn there Sej)tenibcr
10, is:)!. Appointed in 1S!)9.
Moses hVank Eastman, of Melrose. I>orn in Salem July 1(».
IS 17. Appointed in \S\):\.
Charles Allen I'Aeleth, of Lowell. Horn in ( )rono. Me., July I.
IS.");. Api)ointe(l in 1SJ)1).
John Willard Jones, of Somerville. liorn in Charlestovvn, Mass.
March v^T, lS(i(). Appointed in IJMM.
James Henry McKenna. of Waltham. r)orn there December 1 1
1S4(J. Ai)pointed in 1SS4.
(leorge Xutt, of Xatick. IJorn there November ."), 1S7'^. Ap-
l)ointed in 1S!K;. (Also Messenger of Probate Court.)
Lyman Ilarriman Richards, of Maiden. liorn in liristol. Me.,
September 15, IS-I."). Appointed in 1S!):J.
Harry Egbert Shaw, of Lowell. Horn in Turner, Me., Ai)ril I.
lS(il. Ai)pt)inted in 1J)(>:5. See Court Officers.
Henry Clav Sherwin, of Ayer. Horn in Townsend. Mass..
August 1(>, 1S40. Appointed in ISS:].
( Icorge i'Vancis Stiles, of Lowell. Horn there .\ugust 11), ISOl.
Connnission dated ISS-I. See Court Officers.
liradshaw Stearns Tolman. of Waltham. Horn there March '^o.
1S:)1. Appointed in ISDS.
[ContiniRMl on pa«;e '27S.J
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278 ANCIKNT MIDDLESKX.
Deputy Sheriffs. — (Continued).
Sanuiel Webster Tucker, of Newton. l»orn in Boston May 5.
'iHy>. Appointed April '2S, KSSl.
William Henry Walsh, of Framingham. J»orn there July .*5,
18<>1. Appointed in 1892.
Walter Chalk Wardwell, of Canibridj^e. ]>orn in Richmond,
\'a., January 27, 1851). Appointed in 18J):5.
Charles (iilbert Whitman, of Marlborough. r»orn in Marble-
head August 22, 18r)J». Appointed in 1890.
I Bartholomew Mansfield Young, of Cambridge. I>orn in Sun-
bury County, X. P»., Easter morning, 1818. Appointed in
1895.
Deputy Sheriff at Cambridge Jail*
(ieorge Walter Cushing, of Cambridge. l>orn in Abington,
Mass., October 9, 1814. See J)eputy Keeper of Jail al
Cambridge.
Court Officers* See Acts of J892, Chap* J07 ; J895, Chap. 246 ;
J899, Chap. 423.
William Ripley Davis, of Cambridge, liorn in West Appleton,
Me., March 8, 1S(;2. Appointed in 1899.
John Edwin Fairbairn, of Cambridge. Horn in Somerville May
2(), 18^*). Appointed in 1903.
Charles Francis ^lorse, of Marlborough, liorn in Framingham
January 10, 18:52. Appointed Deputy SherifT in 18T3.
James Richard Parry, of Somerville. liorn there May 't^, 180 I.
Appointed in 1904 as ( )fiPicer of the Probate Court.
George W. W. vSaville, of Maiden. See Special Sheriff. Ap-
pointed in 1892.
Harry K. Shaw, of Lowell. See Deputy Sheriff. Appointed
in 1895.
[Continued on page 2SU.]
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•2S() AXCTKXT MIDDLESEX.
Court Officers — (Continued.)
(icor^c V. Stiles, of Lowell. See Deputy SlierifiF. Appointed
in \S9i).
John Iul<^ell Tidd, of Wohurn. P>orn there Septeniher T. 1S:]9.
Appointed A])ril, 181)5.
Arthur Hamilton Wiggin, of Xewton. J*.orn in Chelsea ( )cto-
her '2iK 1H4S. Appointed in 1S97.
Superintendent of G>unty Building:^
hVederick (ieorge Coker, of Sonierville. l>orn in Alna. Me..
Fehruary T, 1841). Ai)pointed January 1, ISSO.
Janitor of Lowell G)urt House*
Theodore Adams, of Lowell. l»orn there December ."), 1S3L
Appointed March, ISTii.
G)unty Eng:ineer*
hVancis Howe Kendall, of IWlmont. I>orn there August "^3,
18(;9. Ai)i)ointe(l July 1, 1S<K.
Superintendent of G)unty Truant School*
Moses Alton Warren, of Chelmsford, liorn in Freedom, Me..
September 5, LS.'iS. Ai)pointed in 1S!)1.
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AXriEXT >fmDLKSEX. 281
CHRONOLCXJICAL ACCOUNT OF MIDDLESEX
COUNTY.
A chronological account relating^ to the establishment, in-
corporation, etc.. of all th^ cities and towns in Middlesex County,
with dates when each was first mentioned in Records of the state,
or therein recorded a« established or incorporated, and other in-
teresting data connected therewith. Compiled from the archives
and public documents of the Conmionwealth as codified And ar-
ranged by the Commissioner of Public Records. To this matter
has been added an interesting collection of Corporate Seals now
in use in the various cities and towns of Middlesex County.
Middlesex County Was Incorporated May tO, 1643.
Acton — July 3,* 17.*?r>, part of Concord, with Willard's I'^arms.
April 28, 17tS(), part included in the second district of Carlisle.
ArHngton — April !.*{, 18()7, name changed from West Cam-
bridge. April ;U), 18()T, the act took effect.
Ashby — March (J, 1T()T. parts of Ashburnham, Fitchburg, and
Townsend. November KJ, 1T1)2, parts of Ashburnham an-
nexed. March 3, 1829, part of Fitchburg annexed.
Ashland — March KJ, 184(J, parts of Framingham, Holliston, and
Hopkinton. April 28, 18."):?, part to be annexed to Hopkin-
ton when a certain sum is paid by Hopkinton. May 2, 185:5,
the act took effect.
Ayer — In^bruary U. 18T1, parts of (iroton and Shirley.
r.edford — September 2:5.* 1729, parts of ilillerica and Concord,
{''ebruary 2(1, 1707. part of i>illerica annexed.
r.elmont — March 18, 1859. parts of W altham, W'atertown, and
West Cambridge. January :n, 18<)1, bounds between P»el-
mont and West Cambridge established. February 25, 18()2,
part of Cambridge annexed and bounds established. April
The star (*) following a date signifies that it is Old Style.
Many of the doings of the court are given in. different volumes of
the early records under different dates, usually, however, in the same
vear. The earliest date is given in this table.
Xanies of cities are printed in small iapitals: of extinct cities,
towns, and districts, in italics.
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v*8->
ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
Arlington.
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AXriKXT MIDDLESKX. 2S:\
19, 1S8(), part annexed to Cambridge. April 28, 1891,
bounds between Uelniont and Canibridjj^e established and
part of each place annexed to the other place. May 23,
1903. bounds between iJelmont and Watertown established.
IHllerica — May 29,* Kir);"), common land. May 14,* KJ.")!), eight
thousand acres of common land granted to Hillerica. May
15,* KJoT, certain lands granted to P)illerica. May 2(),* 1658,
. bounds between Hillerica and Andover established. May
"i2* 1()()1, four thousand acres of land granted to Billerica.
October 10,* KMKI, bounds between Billerica and Woburn
established. October 12,* KWU), bounds between Billerica
and Woburn established. June 27,* 1701. bounds between
r>illerica and Chelmsford and Concord established. Sep-
tember 23,* 1729, part included in the new town of Bedford.
December 17,* 1734, part established as Tew^ksbury. July
28,* 1741, bounds between Billerica and Woburn established.
I^'ebruary 2(), 17(17, part annexed to 1 Bedford. April 28,
1780. part included in the second district of Carlisle.
I»oxborough — February 25, 1783, parts of Harvard, Littleton,
and Stow established as the district of Boxborough. Feb-
ruary 20. 1794. bounds between Boxborough and Littleton
established. Xovember 4, 1835, the district made a town by
chapter 15 of the Revised Statutes. April 30. 1890, bounds
between I>oxborough and Littleton established.
Jirighton — February 2K 1807, part of Cambridge. January 27,
181(), part of Cambridge annexed. May 21, 1873, Brighton
annexed to Boston if the act is accepted by both places.
October 7, 1873, the act accepted by both. January 5, 1871,
the act took effect.
Burlington — February 28, 1799, part of Woburn. January vO.
1800. part annexed to Lexington.
C.VMBRiixiK — September 8,* l()3(i, the town of Xewe Towne.
May 2,* 1()38, name changed to Cambridge. March 13.*
The star (*) followinj< a date signifies that it is Old Style.
Many of the doings of the court are given in different volumes of
the early records under different dates, usually, however, in the same
year. The earliest date is given in this table.
Names of cities arc printed in sm.\ll c.\pitals; of extinct cities,
towns, and districts, in italics,
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•^S4
ANCIKNT .MII)I>IJ:sKX.
(Tambrlbge*
APRIL 19,1754 »
ATtVM »•'
"VrtB.it.iscs ♦* k
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ANCnCXT MIDDLESEX. 'dS.)
l(>o!), Ixninds between Caml)ri(lj4e and W'atertown estab-
lished. ()ctol)er 7* 1(141. bonnds ])et\veen CamlM'id^e and
Jioston established. November 1'^,* 1 <»")!), one thousand
aeres of land granted to Cambridge. October 11),* 1(»(»4. the
j^rant renewed. March 'iO.* 171:5, part established as Lex-
ington. April IJ). 1754, bounds between Cambridj^e and
Watertown established. June 4. K^r). part annexed to
Walthani. April 18, 17()1, part of C'harlestown annexed,
March (>, 1802, part of Charlestown annexed. T'ebruary *i^.
1807, part established as Brighton. February '^7, 1807, part
established as West Cambridge. January <^7. 181(5, part an-
nexed to Hrighton. h'ebruafy T^, 1818, part of Charlestown
annexed. June 17, 18'>?0. part of Charlestown annexed.
March 17, 184(), Cambridge incorporated as a city. March
:50, 181(), act of incorjjoration accepted by the town. April
'^^7. 18r>r), part of Watertown annexed. .\i)ril :50, 18ri(),
bounds between Cambridge and Somerville established and
part of each place annexed to the other place. February 'i."),
18(;*i, parts of Uelmont and West Cambridge annexed. Parts
annexed to Helmont and West Cambridge, and bounds es-
tablished. .April 2\), 18(1^, bounds between Cambridge and
Someryille established and part of each place annexed to th"
other i)lace. .\pril 1!), 1880, part of lielmont annexed.
March 10, 1885, part of Watertown annexed. April *^s,
18!)1, bounds between Cambridge and IJelmont established
and i)art (.f each i)lace annexed to the other place. March
!), 18!)8, bounds between Cand^ridge and Watertown estab-
lished and part of each place annexed Ur the other. March
'i\), 181)8, bounds between Cambridge and Boston estab-
lished.
Cnrlisir, Pis/rirl nf — A])ril ID, 1754, part of Concord. October
(), n.*)(>, the district annexed to Concord.
The star (*) fnllowing a date signifies that it is Old Style.
Many of the doings of the court are given in different vohnnes of
the early records under different dates, usually, however, m the same
year. The earliest date is given in this table. , _
Names of cities are printed in sm.mj. caimt.vls: of extmct ciUe<,
towns, and districts, in italics.
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?>0 ANCIKXT MIDDLESEX.
Carlisle — April 'is, ITSO. i)arts oi Acton. l>illcrica, Chelnisfonl.
and Concord established as the district of Carlisle. Septem-
ber ri, 17SD, part of the district of Carlisle annexed to Con-
cord. March 1. 17S;], part of the district of Carlisle annexed
to Chelmsford. February 18, 1SD5. the district made a town.
I'ebniary IT, 18()r>, part of Chelmsford annexed to Carlisle
and boimds established. May •^:5. liMKi. bounds between
Carlisle and Concord established.
(hiU'lvslnirn — August *^3,* H»:5D, common land. March (J,* 1 <»:>?,
bounds between Charlestown and Xewe Towne established.
July 8,* lO:?**), bounds between Charlestown and l»oston es-
tablished. March ;{,* \iVM\, bounds established "eight mile>
into the country from their meeting-house." March 'iS,*
1().*5(», bounds between Charlestown and Boston established.
October *28,* !().$(;, Lovel's Island granted to Charlestown.
provided they employ it for fishing. May 13,* H>4(», certain
conmion lands granted to Charlestown. October 7,* 1<»40.
certain common lands granted to Charlestown. September
27,* 1()4*^, part established as W'oburn. October '^T,* ir»-l8.
Lovel's Island granted to Charlestown, provided "half the
timber and firewood shall belong to the garrison at the
ca.stle." May v\* KM!), part established as Maiden. No-
vember r^,* \i\7>\), one thousand acres c)f land granted to
Charlestown. October '^1,* 1 (»(»:$, certain common lands
granted to Charlestown. ( )ctober 1!),* l(»<i-l. the grant made
November VL* l<».")i>, renewed. December 17.* I7*<?r>. part
established as Stoneham. April 11), 1754, part annexed to
Medford. April 18, 17(n, part annexed to Cambridge
March (J, 180*2, part annexed to Cambridge. June *il, 1811.
part of Medford annexed. February VI. 1818, part annexed
to Cambridge. June 17, 18*20, part annexed to Cambridge,
l^'ebruary *2.'), 181*2, part annexed to West Cambridge.
The star (*) following a date signifies that it is Old Style.
Many of the doings of the court are given in different volumes of
the early records under different dates. u»iually, however, in the sam.'
year. The earhe>t date is given in thi> tahle.
Nanie> of cities are printed in sm.vll lAniALS; of extinct cities,
towns, and di'^tricts, in italics.
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AXriENT MIDDLESEX. 28T
MuTch 3, 1S42, part established as Sonierville. February 22,
1817, Charlestown incorporated as a city. March 10, IS 17.
act of incorporation accepted by the town. May 14, 187;;,
Charlestown annexed to Boston if the act is accepted by
both cities. October 7, 1873, act accepted by both. Janu-
ary T), 1874, the act took effect.
Chelmsford— May 2!),* Kir),"), common land. May 11,* KioH,
land fT^ranted to Chelmsford. May 31,* KidO, bounds be-
tween Chelmsford and the Indian plantation at Patucket
established. June 27* 1701, bounds between Chelmsford
and Ih'llerica estabhshed. June i;5,* 172(), "Wameset" an-
nexed. September 23* 1721), part established as Westford.
April 24, 1755, part annexed to Dunstable April 28, 1780,
part included in the second district of Carlisle. March 1,
178»*{, part of the second district of Carlisle annexed. March
1, 182(), part established as Lowell. February 17. 18()5, part
annexed to Carhsle and bounds established. May 18. 1871,
part annexed to Lowell. June 23. 1874, act of May 18, 1871,
accepted by Lowell. August 1, 1874, the act took effect.
Concord — September 3,* 1()35, a plantation at Musketequid.
August 20.* 1(J38, lK)unds between Concord, Dedham, and
Watertown established. May 13.* 1()51. bounds between
Concord and Watertown established. June 27,* 1701,
bounds between Concord and Rillerica established. Apri!
12,* 1717, bounds between Concord and Stow established
September 23,* 172J), part included in the new town of Bed-
ford. July 3,* 1735, j)art included in the new town of Acton.
April 19,1754. part included in the new town of Lincoln
April li), 1754. part made the first district of Carlisle. Octo-
ber (), 175(>, the first district of Carlisle annexed. April 28.
1780, part included in the second district of Carlisle. Sep-
'tember 12,1780, part of the district of Carlisle annexed.
The star (♦) following a date signifies that it is Old Style.
Many of the doings of the court are given in different volumes of
the early records under different dates, usually, however, in the same
year. The earliest date is given in this table.
Names of cities are printed in smat.i. capitals; of extinct cities,
towns, and districts, in italics.
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ANCIKXT MinOLKSF.X.
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ANCIENT MIDDLKSEX. 289
May 23, 1903, bounds between Concord and Carlisle estab-
lished.
Dracut — February 2(),* 1702, common land. February 28, 1851,
part annexed to Lowell. May 18, 1871, part annexed to
Lowell. June 23, 1874, the act accepted by Lowell. August
K 1874, the act took effect. April 1, 1879, part annexed to
Lowell.
Dunstable — October 13,* 1()8(), common land. January 4,* 1733,
part established as Nottingham (X. H.). July 4, *1735, part
included in the new^ town of Litchfield (N. 11.). June 8,*
1747, part of Groton annexed. June 8,* 1747, part of Not-
tingham annexed. June 7, 1753, part of Groton annexed.
June 14, 1754, part of Nottingham annexed. April 24. 1755,
part of Chelmsford annexed. June 22, 1789, part established
as the district of Tyngsborough. March 3, 1792, part an-
nexed to the district of Tyngsborough. February 25, 1793,
part of (jroton annexed. January 2(), 1790, part of Groton
annexed. January 29, 1798, boimds between Dunstable and
the district of Tyngsborough established. June 18, 1803,
part of Groton annexed. June 10, 1814, bounds between
Dunstable and Tyngsborough established. February 15,
1820, bounds between Dunstable and Groton established.
East Siidbur!/— April 10, 1780, part of Sudbury. March 11, 1835,
name changed to Wayland.
Evi:uKTT — March 9, 1870, part of Maiden. April 20, 1875, part
annexed to Medford. June 11, 1892, Everett incorporated
as a city. July 19, 1892, act of incorporation accepted by
the town.
Framingham — October 13,* 1675, common land. June 25,*
1700, the plantation of Framingham established as Framing-
ham. July 5,* 1700, certain common lands annexed. July
11,* 1700, part of Sherborn annexed. June 13,* 1701,
The star (*) following a date signifies that it is Old Style.
Many of the doings of the court are given in different volumes of
the early records under different dates, usually, however, in the same
war. The earliest date is given in this table.
Names of cities are printed in small capitals; of extinct cities,
towns, and districts, in italics.
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V'yO ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
bounds iKtween Franiingliaiii and Sudbury established.
June 1(»,* IT 10, bounds between Franiingham and Sherbom
established. March 7, 178(5, part annexed to Southborouj^h.
February '2l\, 17I>1, part annexed to Marlborough. Febru-
ary 11. 18:]3, part of Holliston annexed. March KJ, 184o.
l)art included in the new town of Ashland. April 22, 1871.
part of Xatick annexed.
Groton — May 2:\* K).*).*). tiie plantation of Petapawag. June 11.*
1715, bounds between Groton and Xashoba established.
September 10,* 17;J(). part annexed to Westford. June 21),*
1732. part included in the new town of Harvard. February
27.* 1743. bounds between Groton and Littleton established.
June 8,* 1747, part annexed to Dunstable. January- 5, 1753,
part established as the district of Shirley. April 12, 1753.
part established as the district of Pepperell. June 7, 1753.
part annexed to Dunstable. February 2o, 1793, part an-
nexed to Dunstable. January 2(>, 171)(>, part annexed to
Dunstable. February (>. 171)8, part annexed to Shirlev.
February 3, 1803, part of Pepperell annexed. June 18, 1803,
part annexed to Dunstable. February 15, 1820, bounds be-
tween Groton and Dunstable established. May 18. 1857.
part annexed to Pepperell. February 14, 1871. part in-
cluded in the new town of Ayer.
Holliston — December 3,* 1724, part of Sherborn. April 2S,
1781, part of Hopkinton annexed. March 3, 1821), part of
Medway annexed and bounds established. February 11,
1833, part annexed to F'ramingham. March 27, 1835. part
annexed to Milford and bounds between Holliston. Hopkin-
ton, and Milford established. March 1(1, 184(), part included
in the new town of Ashland. April 1, 1851), bounds between
Holliston and Milford established.
The star (*) following a date signifies that it is Old Style.
Many of the doings of the court are given in different volumes oi
the early records under different dates, usually, however, in the same
yvar. The earliest date is given in this table.
Names of cities are printed in small capitals : of extinct cilit';.
town^. and districts, in italics.
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ANCIENT MIDDLKSEX. 291
Hopkinton — December 13,* 1715, certain common lands and the
plantation called Moguncoy. June 14,* 1735, part included
in the new town of Upton. April 28, 1781, part annexed to
Holliston. March 8, 1808, part annexed to Upton. March
•^7, 18:55, part of Milford annexed, part annexed to Alilford.
and hounds between Hopkinton, Hollis<ton, and Milford es-
tablished. March 15, 184(1, part included in the new town
of Ashland. April '^8, 1853, part of Ashland to be annexed
when a certain sum is paid by Hopkinton. May 2, 1853,
three hundred dollars paid by Hopkinton and the act in
effect.
Hudson — March 1!), 18()(;, parts of Marlborough and Stow.
March 2i), 18()8, part of Bolton annexed.
Lexington — March 20* 1713, the North Precinct in Cambridge.
April 19, 1751, part included in the new town of Lincoln.
January 20, 1800, part of Burlington annexed. February 28,
1853, bounds between Lexington and Lincoln established.
April 4, 1895, bounds between Lexington and Waltham lo-
cated and defined.
Lincoln — April 19, 1754. parts of Concord, Lexington, and Wes-
ton. Kebruary 28, 1853, bounds between Lincoln and Lex-
ington established.
Littleton — December 3,* 1715, common land. June 14,* 1715,
bounds between Nashobaf and Groton established. Feb-
ruary 27,* 1743, bounds between Littleton and Groton es-
tablished. February 25, 1783, part included in the new dis-
trict of P>oxborough. February 20, 1794, bounds between
Littleton and Boxborough es/tablished. April 30, 1890,
bounds between Littleton and Boxborough established.
Lowell— March 1, 182(5, part of Chelmsford. March 29, 1831,
part of Tewksbury annexed. April 1, 1830, Lowell incorpo-
Thc star (*) following a date signifies that it is Old Style.
Many of the doings of the court are given in different volumes of
the early records under different dates, usually, however, in the same
year. The earliest date is given in this table.
Names of cities are printed in small capitals; of extinct cities,
towns, and districts, in italics.
fAfterward Littleton.
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292
ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
L/ t»C08?6fCATai \^|
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AXCIENT MIDDLESEX. 29'^
rated as a city. April 11, 183(), act of incorporation accepted
by the town. February 28, ISol, part of Draciit annexed.
May 18, 18T4, parts of Chelmsford and Draciit annexed.
June 5, 1ST4, part of Tewksbury annexed. June 2:5, 18T1,
act of May 18, 1874, accepted by Lowell. August 1, 18TI,
the act took effect. April 1, 18TJ), part of Dracut annexed.
May IT. 1888, part of Tewksbury annexed.
Maldex — May 2* 1()4J), part of Charlestown called Mystic Side
December 21,* 1T34, part of Maiden annexed to Stoncham.
December 18, 1753, bounds between Maiden and Reading
established. June 10, 1817. part annexed to Medford. May
3, 1850, part established as Melrose. March J), 1870, part es-
tablished as Everett. April 20, 1877, part of Medford an-
nexed. Eebruary 20. 1878, bounds between Maiden and
Medford established. March 31, 1881, Maiden incorporated
as a city. June 9, 1881, act of incorporation accepted by the
town.
MAnLBOUoroH — May 31,* KJOO. common land. July 2,* 1700,
certain conmion lands granted to Marlborough. November
1(»,* 1710, a tract of land called Agaganquamasset confirmed
to Marlborough. October 25,* 1717. Alcock's Farm.-;
granted to Marlborough. November 18,* 1717, part estab-
lished as Westborough. July (>,* 1727, part established as
Southborough. July 11. 178){. bounds between Marl-
borough and Stow established. March 10, 1784, part in-
cluded in the new district of Berlin. February 23, 171)1, part
of Framingham annexed. June 20, 1807. part annexed to
Northborough and bounds established. February 11, 182J»,
part annexed to Uolton. March 10, 1838, bounds between
Marlborough and Bolton established. March 24, 1843, part
of Southborough annexed. March 19, 18()(), part included
in the new town of Hudson. May 23, 1890, Marlborough
The star (*) following a date signifies that it is Old Style.
Many of the doings of the court are given in different volumes of
the early records under different dates, usually, however, in the same
vcar. The earliest date is given in this table.
Names of cities are printed in small iapit.xls; of extinct cities,
towns, and districts, in italics.
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'2 Hi AXCTEXT MIDDLESEX.
incorporated as a city. July 14. 1800. act of incorporation
accepted by the town. May K), 1901, bounds between Marl-
borough and Southborough established.
Maynard — April 19, ISTl, parts of Sudbury and Stow.
Medford — September '^S,* liVM), common land. April 19. i:r»4,
part of Charlestown annexed to Medford. June 2\, 1811.
part annexed to Charlestown. June 10, 1817, part of Mai-
den annexed. April 30. 1850, part included in the new town
of Winchester. April *^0. 1875. part of Everett annexed.
April <?0. 18TT. part annexed to Maiden. February 'ii), 18TS.
bounds between Medford and Maiden established. May 31,
189*i. Medford incorporated as a city. October (», 1892, act
of incorporation accepted by the town.
Melhosk — May 3, L^oO, part of Maiden. March 15, 1853, part
of Stoneham annexed. March 5?T. 1895. bounds between
Melrose and Stoneham located and defined. March 18,
1899, Melrose incorporated as a city. May 8, 1899. act of
incorporation accepted by the town.
Xatick — (October 14,* 1051, Indian plantation at Xatick men-
tioned. May 31,* KicJO, bounds of the plantation established.
April 1(),* 1(»T9, exchange of land made with Sherborn.
May 30,* 1(»T9, the exchange of land with Sherborn ratified
by the General Court. October 18,* 1701, bounds between
Xatick and Dedham established. February 23, 17(»2. the
parish of Xatick established as the district of X'atick.
February 19, 1781. the district of X'^atick made a town.
June 22, 1797, bounds between X'^atick and X'^eedham estab-
lished and part of each town annexed to the other town.
February 7, 1820, part of Sherborn annexed. April 2(>.
1850. bounds between Xatick and Way land established.
April 22, 1871, part annexed to Framingham.
The star (*) following a date signifies that it is Old Style.
Many of the doings of the court are given in different volumes of
the early records under different dates, usually, however, in the same
year. The earliest date is given in this table.
Xanies of cities are printed in small capitals; of extinct cities,
towns, and districts, in ilalics.
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
295
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29C} AXOTEXT MTDDLKSEX.
Xewtox— December 15.* 1G91, the town of Cambridge Village,
sometimes called Little Cambridge. June 21. 1803, an
island in Charles River annexed. April 23. 1838. part an-
nexed to Roxbury. April 10, 1849, part annexed to
Waltham. Jime 2, 1873, Newton incorporated as a city.
October 13, 1873, act of incorporation accepted by the town.
May 29, 1874. bounds between Xewton and Boston estab-
lished. May 5, 1875, part of Boston annexed. June 23.
1875, the act accepted by Xewton. July 1, 1875, the act
took effect. March 29, 1898, bounds between Xewton and
Boston established. May 13, 1898, bounds between Xew-
ton and Boston established.
Xewfowne — ^July 2().* 103 1. common land. March 0,* 1032,
bounds between "Charles-Towne and Xewtowne'' estab-
lished. April 7.* 1035, bounds between Newtowne and
Watertown. and between Xewtowne and Roxbury estab-
lished. May 2,* 1()38, name changed to Cambridge.
Xorth Reading — March 22, 1853. part of Reading. May 27,
1857, bounds between Xorth Reading and Lynnfield estab-
lished and part of each town annexed to the other town, pro-
vided the act is accepted by both towns. January 7. 185S.
the act accepted by Xorth Reading. (Accepted by Lynn-
field Xovember 3. 1857.) March 12, 1904. bounds between
Xorth Reading and Xorth Andover established. April 22.
1904, bounds between Xorth Reading and Andover estab-
lished.
Pepperell — April 12, 1753, the second precinct of Groton made
the district of * Pepperell." August 23, 1775. the district
made a town by general act. February 3. 1803, part an-
nexed to Groton. May 18, 1857. part of (iroton annexed.
Reading— May 29,* 1044, part of Lynn. May 29.* 1(>44, bounds
between Reading and Woburn established. October 14,*
The star (*) following a date signifies that it is Old Style.
Many of the doings of the court are given in different volitmes of
the early records under different dates, usually, however, in the same
year. The earliest date is given in this table.
Names of cities are printed in small capitals; of extinct cities,
towns, and districts, in italics.
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Google
ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
207
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'.'IKS AXCI KNT M I DDLKSEX.
1651, land granted to Reading. September 25* 1T30, part
included in the new town of Wilmington. December 21 *
17.14, part annexed to Stoneham. April 5, 1751, bounds be-
tween Reading and Stoneham established. December 18.
1T53, bounds between Reading and Maiden established.
February '^5, 181^, First or South Parish of Reading estab-
lished as South Reading. June KJ, 1813, part of South
Reading annexed. March 22, 1853, part established as
North Reading. April 10, 1854, bounds between Reading
and Lynnfield established.
Sherbornf — October 7,* 1674, common land. April 16,* 1079,
exchange of land made with the plantation of Natick. May
30,* 1()71), the exchange ratified by the General Court. May
17,* 1684, the grant of October 7,* 1674, and the name Sher-
borne, then given, confirmed. July 11,* 1700, part annexed
to Framingham. June K),* 1710, bounds between Sherborn
and Framingham established. December 3, 1724. part es-
tablished as Ilolliston. March 3, 1792, bounds between
Sherburne and Med way established. February 7, 1820, part
annexed to Xatick. May 3, 1852, the name of the town of
Sherburne | sic | changed to Sherborn.
Shirley — January 5, 1753, part of Groton established as the dis-
trict of Shirley. August 23, 1775, the district made a town
by general act. February 6, 1798, part of Groton annexed.
March 3, 1846, bounds between Shirley and Lunenburg es-
tablished. April 25, 1848. bounds between Shirley and
Lunenburg established. February 1 1, 1871, part included in
the new town of Ayer.
SoMKHViLLK — March 3, 1842, part of Charlestown. April 3'>.
185(>, bounds between Somerville and Cambridge estab-
lished and part of each place annexed to the other place.
The star (*) following a date signifies that it is Old Style.
Many of the doings of the court are given in different volumes of
the early records under different dates, usually, however, in the same
year. The earliest date is given in this table.
Names of cities are printed in small capitals: of extinct cities
towns, and districts, in italics.
f See the extinct town of Sherburn. The spelling of the town name
is given in each instance as found in the records.
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 299
April 29, 18()2, bounds between Somerville and Cambridge
established and part of each place annexed to the other
place. April 14, 1871, Somerville incorporated as a city.
April 27, 1871, act of incorporation accepted by the town.
May 4, 1891, bounds between Somerville and Boston estab-
lished.
Scfutk Beading — February 25, 1812, part of Reading. June 16,
1813, part annexed to Reading. April o, 18r)(), part of
Stoneham annexed. February 25, 18<)8, name changed to
Wakefield. June 30, 1808, the act took effect.
Stoneham — December 17,* 1725, part of Charlestown. Decem-
ber 21,* 1734, part of Maiden annexed. December 21,*
1734, part of Reading annexed. April 5,* 1751, bounds be-
tween Stoneham and Reading established. March 15, 1853,
part annexed to Melrose. April 5, 1856, part annexed to
South Reading. March 13, 1889, part annexed to Wake-
field. March 27, 1895, bounds between Stoneham and Mel-
rose located and defined. April 20, 1895, part of Woburn
annexed to Stoneham.
Stow — May 16,* 1683, the plantation between Concord and Lan-
caster called Pompositticut. April 12,* 1717, bounds be-
tween Stow and Concord established. December 29,* 1730,
part of Sudbury annexed. June 29,* 1732, part included in
the new town of Harvard. February 25, 1783, part included
in the new lown of Boxborough. July 11, 1783. bounds be-
tween Stow and Marlborough established. March 19, 18()(),
part included in the new town of Hudson. April 19, 1S71,
part included in the new town of Maynard.
Sudbury — September 4,* 1639, the new plantation by Concord.
May 13,* 1640, land granted to Sudbury. May 2,* 1649,
land granted to Sudbury. May 13,* 1651, l)oun(ls between
Sudbury and Watertown established. June 13.* 1701,
The star (*) following a date signifies that it is Old Style.
Many of the doings of the court are given in diflFerent volumes of
the early records under different dates, usually, however, in the same
year. The earliest date is given in this table.
Names of cities are printed in small capitals; of extinct cities,
towns, and districts, in italics.
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300
ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
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Google
ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 301
bounds between Siulbury and Framinfi^liani established.
June J),* 17'^ 1, certain farms annexed. December 21),* 1730,
part annexed to Stow. April 10, ITcSO, part estabh'shed as
East Sudbury. April li), 1871, part included in the new-
town of Maynard.
Tewksbury — December 17,* 1734, part of llillerica. March 21).
1834, part annexed to Lowell. June 5, 1874, part annexed
to Lowell. May 17, 1888, part annexed to Lowell. May
21, 1903, bounds between Tew^ksbury and Andover estab-
lished.
Townscnd — June 29,* 1732, the north part of Turkey Hill.
March (I, 17()7, part included in the new town of Ashby.
Tyngsborough — June '22, 1789. part of Dunstable established as
the district of Tyngsborough. March 3, 1792, part of Dun-
stable annexed to the district of Tyngsborough. January
29, 1798, part of Dunstable annexed to the district of Tyngs-
borough and bounds established. February 23, 1809, the
district made a town. June 10, 1814, bounds between
Tyngsborough and Dunstable established.
Wakefield — February 25. 18(18, name changed from South Read-
ing. June 30, 18()8, the act took effect. April 2, 1870,
bounds between Wakefield and Lynnfield established.
March 13, 1889, part of Stoneham annexed.
Waltiiam — January 4,* 1738, part of Watertown. June 4, 1755,
part of Cambridge annexed. April 10, 1849, part of Newton
annexed. March 18, 1859, part included in the new town of
Belmont. June 2, 1884, Walt4iam incorporated as a city.
July K), 1884, act of incorporation accepted by the town.
.\pril 4, 1895, bounds between W-altham and Lexington lo-
cated and defined.
Watertown— September 7,* ir.30, **the town upon Charles
River." September 25,* 1(;34, part of New Towne to revert
The star (*) following a date signifies that it is ()ld Style.
Many of the doings of the court arc given in difterent vohmics of
the early records under diflferent dates, usually, however, in the same
year. The earliest date is given in this table. • . •.•
Names of cities are printed in small capitals; ol extinct cities,
towns, and districts, in italics.
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?)()2
ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
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AXCIEXT MIDDLESEX. 303
to Watertown, "if Mr. Hooker and his congregation shall
remove hence." April 7* 1^35, bounds between Watertown
and New Towne established. August *^0,* 1<>38, bounds be-
tween Watertowh. Concord, and Dedham established.
March 13,* 1(>39, bounds between Watertown and Cam-
bridge established. May 22 * 1()39, bounds between Water-
town and Dedham established. May 13,* 1()51, bounds be-
tween Watertown and Sudbury established. May 13,* 1()51,
boimds between Watertown and Concord established.
January 1,* 1712, part established as Weston. January 4,*
1738, part established as Waltham. April li), 1754, bounds
between Watertown and Cambridge established. April 5^7,
185."), part annexed to Cambridge. March 18. 185i), part
included in the new town of Ilelmont. March 10, 1885, part
annexed to Cambridge. March i), 1898, bounds between
Watertown and Cambridge established and part of eaclr
place annexed to the other. May 23, 1J)03, bounds between
Watertown and Belmont established.
Wayland — March 11, 1835, name changed from East Sudbury.
April 2(), 1850, bounds between Wayland and Xatick estab-
lished.
West (Utwbriih/r — February 27, 1807, part of Cambridge. Febru-
ary 25, 1842. part of Charlestown annexed. April 30, 1850,
part included in the new town of Winchester. March 18,
185!), part included in the new town of l>elmont. January
31, 18()1, bounds between West Cambridge and Belmont es-
tablished. February 25, 1802, part of Cambridge annexed.
April 13, 18()7, name changed to Arlington. April 30, 18(57,
the act took effect.
Westford— September 23,* 1729, part of Chelmsford. Septem-
ber 10,* 1730, part of Groton annexed.
The star (*) following a date signifies that it is Old Style.
Many of the doings of the court are given in different volumes of
the early records under different dates, usually, however, in the same
year. The earliest date is given in this table.
Names of cities are printed in small capit.vls; of extinct cities,
towns, and districts, in italics.
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Google
^)04
ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
^vfta^^nn
/^ TOWN OF Y*'^
WESTON.f
^ 1712-13./,
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX. 305
Weston — January 1,* 1713, the West Precinct of Watertown.
April IJ). 1754. part included in the new town of Lincoln.
Wilmington — September 25,* 1730, parts of Reading and
Woburn.
Winchester — April 30, 1850, parts of Medford, West Cambridge,
and Woburn. May 12, 1873, part annexed to Woburn.
WoBrnx — September 27,* 1(M2, Charlestowne Village. May
2J),* 1()44, bounds between Woburn and Reading estab-
lished. October IJ),* 1()()4, two thousand acres of land
granted to Woburn. October 10,* KHUJ, bounds between
Woburn and Billerica established. October 12,* IGCJ),
bounds between Woburn and Hillerica established. Septem-
ber 25,* 1730, part included in the new town of Wilmington.
July 2S* 1741, bounds between Woburn and Billerica es-
tablished. February 2S, 17J)9, part established as Burling-
ton. April 30, 1850, part included in the new town of Win-
chester. May 12, 1873, part of Winchester annexed. May
18, 1888, Woburn incorporated as a city. May 2J), 1888, act
of incorporation accepted by the town. April 20, 181)5, part
of Woburn annexed to Stoneham.
The star (♦) following a date signifies that it is Old Style.
Many of the doings of the court are given in different volumes of
the early records under different dates, usually, however, in the same
year. The earliest date is given in this table.
Names of cities are printed in small capitals; of extinct cities,
towns, and districts, in italics.
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Google
INDEX OF
Illustrations, Portraits and Facsimiles of Signatures
Adams, Hon. Josiah
Adams, Theodore
Ambrose. John L. .
Ames. Hon. Seth
Andrew, Samuel
Austin, General Nathaniel, Jr
Baker, Alvah S.
Baldwin, Colonel Loammi
Baldwin. Hon. Loammi, Jr.
Bancroft. Hugh
Bancroft. Colonel Jefferson
Barker. Hon. Ehenezer .
Bartlett. Samuel
Buttrick. Stedman
Beard. Ithamar VV.
BcUingham, Governor Richard
Bigclow, Abraham .
Bigelow. Hon. Francis .
Bordman, Hon. Andrew .
Eradstreet. Governor Simon
Bridge. General Ebcnezcr
Brooks, Hon. George M.
Buck, J. H. ...
Bulkelcy, Peter
Bull, Hon. Ephraim W.
Butler, Hon. Caleb
Carter. ReV. Thomas, Ordina
Chandler, Colonel Samuel
Checvcr. David
Childs, Edwin O. .
Clark, Alvan
Clark, E. W. . . •
Coddington, Governor Williai
Coker. F. G. . . .
Collins, Hon. Edward J.
Cooney. Patrick H. .
Converse, Edward
of
Page
82-83
. 273
184-185
172-173
. 132
153-154
. 273
26. 150
28-><)
270-271
. 273
. 87
223, 225
137- 13«
234-238
. 130
169-170
118-111)
. 207
. 23
. 134
197, 191)
. 273
. 24
. 41
60-61
7
155, 157
. 133
228-22r)
. 34
. 273
128-129
. 273
1(»0-1(H
259, 261
. 14
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Google
' ' INDEX. ,307
Page
County Seal
dishing. G. W 273
Gushing, Henry G 102-1()3
Dana, General James 17G-177
Dana, Hon. Samuel 241
Danforth, Samuel 1J)2
Danforth, Thomas l()(i
Davis, Hon. Seth 78-7<J
Davis, W. R 273
Day, Stephen U\
Dillingham. William C 184. 186
Doane, I. 1 273
Dudley, Governor Thomas 23
Dummer, Hon. Richard 12J>
Dummcr, Samuel 148
Dunster, Rev. Henry 4(5
P'astman, M. F. 273
Eliot, Rev. John (Apostle to Indians) 42-4-3
Endecott. Governor John 10
Esty, Frederick M 210,220
Eveleth. C. A 275
Fairbairn. J. E. 275
Fairbairn. John R 1()4-1()5
Farr, Asa W. . 251
Fay, Hon. Samuel P. P. . 193, lOO
Fessenden, John 204
Fcssenden, Nicholas 204
Fiske, J. M '275
Fiske, Eben W KJO-Kil
Fiske, Isaac -05. 208
Fletcher, Hon. Timothy 72-73
Folsom, Samuel H 212-213
Foster, James -<>^
Foxcroft, Daniel -04
Foxcroft, Francis 191
Foxcroft. Francis, Jr '--1
Foxcroft, John ---
Foxcroft, Rev. Thomas -04
French, Hon. Josiah B. 84-85
Frost, Hon. William S 112-113
Fuller, Hon. Timothy 242-243
Goffe. Edmund ^^"
GofTe, Edward l^'^l
Going, Hon. John K •><>-J>''
Gould, Hon. Levi S ^' 122-123
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308
INDEX.
Glover, Rev. Jose
Goodrich, John B.
Gookin, Major-General Danie
Gookin. Samuel
Gookin, Samuel, Jr.
Graves. Thomas
Green. John
Green, Samuel
Griffin. John Q. A.
Ham, Benjamin F.
Hammond. Hon. John W.
Hammond, Laurence
Harris. Charles N. .
Harvard. Rev. John
Harwood. Hon. Harrison
Hayden, Caleb .
Hayden, Joseph O. .
Hildreth, Fisher A.
Hildreth, General William. Jr
H olden, Oliver .
Holdcn, Oliver. Or^an of
Holmes. Oliver Wendell .
Holt. Joseph G.
Homestead of Jacob Gould at
Hosnier, Major Joseph .
Hurd. Roger H.
Hurd, Theodore C.
Huntington. Hon. Asahel
Huntress. Hon. Leonard
Jones, Isaac F. .
Jones, J. W.
Johnson. Edward
Johnson. Marmaduke
Kendall. F. H.
Kenny. C. H. .
Keyes, Hon. John
Keycs. Hon. John S.
Kimball. Charles
Kneeland. William
Lawton. Hon. George F.
Leighton, Thomas, Jr.
Leverett, John .
Lexington Common
Lunt. Hon. Alphonso M.
Lynde, Alonzo V.
Stoncha
afte
Page
. 40.
. 47
. 14<i
. 14<i
. It)
. 145
. 44
174-175
177-178
•25(>. 2.V<
. lt;7
217-218
. 25
10M05
221.226
142-14;^
15(J-157
150-151
. 3t»
r page 15(»
. :Vi
2(M-2<r.
. 125
151-15-2
188-181)
17!)-180
240-247
94-1)5
215, 211)
. 275
17
. 44
. 275
. 275
185-18t>
158. 161
15'), 161
. 207
200-201
288. 2^5
. IIU
. 54
114-115
20a, 208
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IXDEX. 309
Pae^e
Mason, Thaddeus KW
McEvoy. George A. 287
Mclntire, Hon. Charles J 198-1!!!)
McKenna, J. H 275
Mitchellsonn. Edward l-lo
Morse. C. F 275
Morse, Isaac S. 250. 252
Morse, Samuel F. B ' ;U
Mousell. John 17
Nelson, Hon. Albert H. 247-2 IS
Nowell, Increase 24
Nutt, George 275
Palmer, Abraham !(>
Palmer, Walter If
Parker, Hem. Leonard M 74-75
Parry. J. R 275
Penn, James 144
Pevey, Gilbert A. A 2()l», '2i\li
Phillips, Timothy 14d
Phinncy, Elias 171-172
Phipps. Samuel KiS. 208
Phipps, Samuel. Jr. hIS
Phips. David 14!)
Porter. Rev. Samuel 80
Prcscott, Alfred A 20.'), 211
Prescott. Colonel James 149
Prescott, Hon. James l!)o
Prescott. Hon. Oliver 1!)5
Preston, Marshall 181-1H2
Pynchon, Hon. William 12(i-127
Ramsay, J. P '277
Reed. Hon. J. Henry 109
Remington. Jonathan . , 192
Richards, L. H 277
Richardson. Hon. Daniel S 90-91
Richardson, Hon. William A 194, 199
Rogers, William E 214-215
Ruins of Viaduct (Middlesex Canal) 57
Rumford, Count of 31
Russell. Daniel 182
Russell. James 132
Russell. James. 2d 183
Russell. Richard 13o
Sanderson, George A 202-2t)3
Sanger, Samuel . . 30
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310 INDEX.
Page
Saville, G. W. W .277
Sawyer, John James 182-183
Shaw, H. E 277
Sherwin, H. C 277
Sinionds, James 32
Smith. Ralph N 187-188
Sprague, Ralph 13
Sprague, Richard 13
Sprague, William 13
Stearns, Hon. Asahel 244-245
Stedman. John 131
Stevens, Charles B 22()-227
Stevens, George 254-255
Stevens. Henry A 230-231
Stevens, Hon. William B 257-258
Stiles. G. F 277
Stone, Amos 140-141
Stone. William F 225
Storrow, Nicholas 17
Strange, D. T 277
Swan, Hon. Joshua 88-8J>
Swan. Thomas . . . ' 2(>3
Sweetser, Hon. Paul H ... 1)8-1)0
The Governor Cradock House (probably oblest house in the
United States built 1 y the English) 54
The Minute Man .53
The Old North Bridge 54
Thompson. Benjamin (Count Rumford) 27,31
Thompson, Hon. E. E 277
Thompson. Edward H 230,232
Thompson, Joseph P 23J)-240
Tidd, J. E 277
Tolman, B. S 277
Tower, Hon. Augustus 64 fM
Townsend, Hon. David 70-71
Train, Hon. Charles R 249,251
Tucker, S. W 279
Tuttle, John L XSTy
Tyler, Joseph H 210-211
Tyng, William 130
Upham. John 117
Upham, Lieutenant Phineas 117
Upham, Hon. Samuel O. 11(>-117
Utley, Dr. E. R 279
Varnum, Hon. Benjamin F 6S-iJ0
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' INDEX. 311
Pac:e
Waitt, Hon. Joseph H 10*2 10 5
Walford, Thomas 15
Walker, Rev. Robert 270
Walsh. W. H 270
Walton, Hon. Daniel G. 1(>G-1<»7
Wardwell. W. C 270
Warren, M. A 270
Wayside Inn, Sudbury 54
Wier. Frederick N. 2(lo-2«;l
Wheeler. Hon. Abner (H\-(\l
Whitman, C. G 270
Whistler, James A. (McNeill) 38
Wiggin. A. H 270
Willard. R 270
Willard, Simon 2i
Winslow. Henry H 2i»7-2<»8
Winthrop. Hon. James 202, 2o7
Winthrop, Governor John S,i^
Winthrop. Hon. John 100, 105
Winthrop, William .... 222
Wright, Asahel B 234.23!)
Young, B. M 270
Seal of
Acton 282
Arlington 282
Ashby 282
Ashland 282
Ayer 282
Bedford 282
Belmont 28-1
Billerica 284
Boxborough 284
Burlington 2:?4
Cambridge 284
Carlisle 28^4
Chelmsford 288
Concord 288
Dracut -^^
Dunstable 288
Everett 2^8
Framingham 288
Groton '^J»2
Holliston '2^2
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— >
:)i2
INDEX.
Hopkinton
Hudson
Lexington
Lincoln
Littleton
Lowell
Maiden
Marlborough
Maynard
Med ford
Melrose
Natick
Newton
North Reading
Pepperell
Reading
Sherborn
Shirley
Somerville
Stoneham
Stow
Sudbury
Tewksbury
Townsend
Tyngsboro
Wakefield
Waltham
Watertown
Wayland
Westford
Weston
Wilmington
Winchester
Woburn
Page
292
292
292
292
2Vh
2r5
29:*
21 '5
295
295
297
297
297
297
297
297
30(»
300
300
300
300
300
302
302
302
3rr.'
302
302
304
304
304
Si)\
304
301
College Graduates
Amherst 175.261
Brown University 182,215,251
Dartmouth 02,75,135,211,212.2,55,258
Harvard 29.83.
92. 132. 134, 135, 147, 149, 101, hl<, 109. 172. 191, 192,
195, 1J;0. 19f), 203, 204, 207, 208. 221, 222, 237, 242. 245, 247. 209. 271
Trinity Hartford 215,274
Tufts 258
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INDEX. .313
Page
Union, Schenectady, N. Y 179
Williams 200,220
Yale 247,2()3
Total
Amherst 2
Brown University ,3
Dartmouth 7
Harvard 55
Trinity. Hartford 2
Tufts 1
Union, Schenectady, N. Y 1
Williams 2
Yale 2
General Index
Page
Abbott, John 137
Abolition of Slavery in District of Columbia 77
Aborn, Elizabeth J 109
Adams, Henry 83
Adams, President John Quincy 50
Adams, Hon. Josiah 59,82-83
Adams, Rev. Moses 83
Adams. Lieutenant-Governor Samuel 69
Adams Square 1.30
Adams, Theodore 273, 280
Adelphi Society of Arts, The .35
Ahasueras Council. Lowell 91
Albany 9
Aldcrsey, Samuel 127
Alewife Brook 61
Allen Engli.sh and Classical School. Newton. The .... 261
Allen. Rev. Thomas 7
Allin, Rev. John 7
Allston, Washington 29-30,35
Ambrose, John L 184-185
America* Hymn of 80
American Academy of Arts and Sciences, The 31
American Library Association. The 6
American Society of Arts and Sciences 19.'>
Ames. Hon. Seth 172-173
Amherst College 175, 261
Andover 34
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^*^^ INDEX.
Andre, Major j^j-
Andrew, Samuel jq.,
Andros. Governor 14 145 14^ y; {tj]
Anti-Masonic Party jo-
i Antietam. Battle of '>51
Apostle of the Indians of North America 4:j
Apostle of Temperance in North America . -1*^
Appleton. Major jt|
Arbella. Ship j^^.H I4_j
Arnold, James, the Whaler 2H7
Aihland, Town of 49
A^j-istant Clerks of Courts 1^>
Assistant District Attorneys 265
Assistant Registers of Deeds, Southern District >:H}
Assistant Registers. Probate and Insolvency -jIj
Atlantic Ocean <i
Aurora, Ship ^j
Austin, General Nathaniel, Jr 153-lo4
Autocrat of the Breakfast Table, The So
-^ Baker, A. S 273-274
Baldwin Apple. The 26, 37
Baldwin, Colonel Loammi 2(>, 150-151
Baldwin, Loammi, Jr 28, 29, 87
Bancroft. The Historian 14j<
Bancroft. Hugh 270, 271
Bancroft, Colonel Jefferson 272. 273
Bancroft, Major-General William A 271
Banks, Governor Nathaniel P ]lj)
Barker, Hon. Ebenezer 59. 73. SCk 87
Barker, Josiah 87
Barker, Josiah H 87
Barker, Penelope H 87
Barron, Colonel William 215
Bartlett. Anne H 225
I Bartlett, Captain Roger 225
J Bartlett, Samuel 223,225
Bavaria, Elector of. The 32
Bavaria, King of, The 31
Beadle, The 144
Beard. Hon. Ithamar W. . . . 234
Beard. Rev. Ithamar W 234.238
Becker's School 188
Belcher. Dorcas li.j
Belcher, Governor IHP
Belcher, Jeremiah 125
1 ^^
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INDEX. 315
Page
Bellingham, Governor Richard 19, 130
Bemis, Seth 80
Bible, First Printed in America . 44
Bigelow, Hon. Abijah 75
Bigelow. Abraham 109-170
Bigelow, Rev. Andrew, D. D. ()5
Bigelow, Charles 119
Bigelow, Hon. Francis 59.118-119
Bigelow, Dr. Jacob 30
Bigelow, Hon. John P 65
Bigelow. Rebecca B 119
Bigelow. Hon. Timothy 29, 135, iMl, 242
Biglo, John 120, 169
Biglo, Mary Warren 120, 169
Bird Tavern. The 71
Blessing of the Bay, Sloop 55
BoHes, Professor Frank 89
Bolton, Charles K 6
Book of Possessions, 1638, The 55
Bordman, Andrew, Jr. 207
Bordman, Hon. Andrew 207
Boston 11-12,38
Boston & Albany Railroad 77
Boston Athenaeum 6
Boston and Charlestown Toll Bridges 77
Boston & Lowell Railroad, The 38
Boston & Providence Railroad 77
Boston Public Library . 6
Boston University 261, 2r»3
Boston and Worcester Turnpike 69
Boutwell, Governor George S 63, 157, 251
Boylston School of Boston 161
Bradstreet, Simon 23, 129, 167
Bratcher, Austin 16
Bray, Major 1^
Bray & Boyd 87
Bridge, Adjutant-General Ebenezer 134
Bridge at Billerica, The 124
Bridge, Rev. Ebenezer 134
Bright, Rev. Francis 1"
Brooks, Hon. George M 197,199,216
Brooks, Colonel John . ^7, 153
Brown, John 139
Brown University 182,215,251
Browneing, Thomas 19
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•^1<> INDEX.
Page
Buchanan. President 1,,7
Buck, J. H 273, 27(i
Buffalo J)
Bulkeley, Peter J4
Bull. Hon. Ephraim W 37. 41
Bunker Hill, Battle of .35. 3i». 5'2. 1.33. 134. \1U
Bunker Hill Monument 35. <J;}
Burglary, Punishment in 1(5()0 Ijl
Burgoyne, General 3J>
Burns, Captain Company of Minute Men I05
Bushell, Ruth 145
Butler, Governor B. F 1^3,175.251
Butler, Hon. Caleb 58, 59, ()<). 01, 75
Butler, Rebecca Frost 61
Buttrick, Major John 137
Buttrick, Stedman 137, 138
California 9
Calkins, Grosvenor 217
Cambridge 12. 44. 47, 56, 57
Cambridge Common, The (executions thereon) 56
Cambridge Train Band 47
Cape Ann 10
Cape Cod 10
Carter, Rev. Thomas .... 7
Chambre. Rev. A. St. John .... . . . . 3.^>
Chandler. Colonel Samuel 155. 157
Chandler. Thayer & Hudson ... 267
Channing. Rev. William E 242
Chapel of Good Shepherd (Blackwcli's Isian.l) 237
Charles Frederick. Elector of Bavaria 32
Charles River 9.21
Charlestown 12. 18. 47. 57, 73, 75
Charlestown Five Cents Savings Bank 109, 141
Charlestown Light Infantry 177
Charlestown Train Band 14
Chauncey. Dr 148
Cheever, David ia3
Chelmsford 49
Chelmsford, East 34
Chicago 9
Childs. Edwin 228, 229
Choate. Rufus 247
Chronological Account of Middlesex County .... 281-3<>5
Cider in Colonial Times 21
Cider Mill, First in Colony 31
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INDEX. 317
Page
Cincinnati, Society of 179
Circuit Court of Common Pleas 57
Cities and Towns. Middlesex County, Incorporation, etc. . . 281-300
Clark, Alvan 34
Clark. E. VV . 273. 27t)
Clemence, William 19
Clerks of Court, Middlesex County ItJtJ
Cobb, Moses G. 177
Cobb's Battery 177
Coburn, Captain 07
Coddington. William 128, 129
Coe. Captain F. W 40
Coffee in Colonial Times 20
Coker. F. G 273, 2h'0
Collins. Edward J ... 5M, 1(H», 101
Collins, Hannah J 101
Collins. Matthias, 1st. 2d. 3d lOl
Commissioners of Highways of Middlesex Cnunty . 58, (il
Commissioner of Public Records 281
Concord Bank 137
Concord, Battle of 52, 55
Concord Grape, The 37
Concord River 49
Concord, Town of 21,37,49.57
Congressional Medal of Honor 117
Constitution Wharf, Boston 55
Converse, Deacon Edward 13, 14
Cooney, Patrick H 259, 2<)1, 209
Corinthian Lodge of Masons. Concord 135
Coronation Hymn, The 3l)
Corporate Seals. Cities, and Towns, Middlesex County . . 281-305
Cotton, Rev. John 7
County Attorneys 211
County Buildings at Charlestown, The First 22
County Commissioners 58, 59, (il
County Commissioners, Chairmen of 59
County Court House, The First 22
County Engineer 280
County Prison. Keeper of l!l
County Recorder's Salary 19
County Seal 9
Court of Assistants 1]
Court of Claims, United States 199
Court Houses 21, 22
Court Officers 272-278
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Google
318 INDEX.
Page
Court of Sessions, The 57
Court Stenographer, Chief Official 274
Cowley, Charles {X
Cox, Captain Unite r>"»
Cradock Farm, The li>
Cradock House (Oldest in United States bu'lt by Englishmen) .>4
Crane, Governor 217
Crawford. Hon. William H 7ij
Cromwell, Oliver 4^
Cushing. G. W 27*2. 273. 278
Gushing. Henry G Irt2, ha, Hm
Czar of Russia :^
Dakin. Captain Nicholas (vi
Dallinger, Hon. Fred W. 271
Dana, General James 17t?, I77
Dana, Hon. Samuel 177,2-11.242
Danforth. Rev. Nicholas Ititi
Danforth, Hon. Samuel lj)2. 2<»7
Danforth Deputy-Governor Thomas 17, 48. 4!». .Vi. 131, ItW. 1S>2. 221
Dartmouth College (>2. 75, l:io, 211, 212
Davis, Betsey F 7J>
Davis. Hon. Seth .Vl, 70, 7s. 7f»
Davis. Timothy 7j»
Davis. W. R-. 273. 27S
Davis. William T .5
Day Press, The 4,',
Day, Stephen 4,;
Dedham .>6
Deputy Masters. Cambridge Jail 272
Deputy Masters. House of Correction 272
Deputy ShcriflFs 272. 27fi, 278
Detroit 9
De Warren. William 121
Dillingham. William C 184. ISii
District Attorneys 247
Division of County, Proposed 22. 2^^
Divorce. First Suit in Middlesex Ill
Doane. I. I .... 273,274
Donallon, Deacon John W 21.5
Dorchester 12
Dover J)
Dracut. Town of (if»
Drake. Samuel A 5
Dubugue 1)
Dudley, Thomas 23,129
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INDISX. CIO
Page
Dudley, Governor Thomas 44, 55
Dummer Academy 12M
Dummer, Elizabeth Rugglcs 14^
Dummer, Jeremiah ^ 12J), 148
Dummer, Jeremiah, Jr 12}), 148
Dummer, Richard 12J)
Dummer, Samuel 12J), 148
Dummer, Acting Governor William 120, 148
Dunkirk, j)
Dunster, Rev. Henry 7, 4G, 131
Dying Hercules, The 3.')
Kdes Mansion, The ;^
Eagle of the Sea ,55
Eames, Milliccnt 14
Eastman, M. F. 273, 27(>
Edson, Rev. D. 39
Eighth N. H. Volunteers 1(53
Electric Telegraph 3.5
Electro- Magnetism 3.-)
Eliot, Bennett 12")
Eliot, Francis I2.5
Eliot. Rev. John 7, 31, 43, 44, 45, 4(), 47. 50, 51. loi, 125, 131, 14(;, 1()7
Eliot, Rachel (Poulter) 125
Eliot Memorial Church. Lowell 50
Emerson, Ralph Waldo 23, 242
Endecott. John * . 10. 1 J
Esty, Hon. C. C 1711, 21()
Esty, F'rederick M 21(), 220
Essex-shire <)
Everett, Hon. Edward 23
Exeter ij
Evcleth. C. A 275.270
Fairbairn, John 165
Fairbairn, John E 275, 27M
Fairbairn, John R Iti4, 1()5, 272
Fairfield 17
Falls, Mary A. 113
Farmer's Almanac 215
Farr, Lieutenant Asa W. 251
Fay, Hon. Samuel P. P 1})3, 1JM»
Fesscnden, John 204
Fesscnden, Nicholas, 1st 204
Fe.ssenden, Nicholas. 2d 2(U
Fesscnden. Hon. W^illiam P 2(»4
First Baptist Church, Lowell 234
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320
IXDEX.
First Baptist Church, Newton
First Church. Boston
First Church, Charlestown
First County Buildings at Charlestown
First County Court House
First Printer in British North America
First Printing Press in British North America
First Temperance Organization in New England
Fisk. J. M.
Fiske. Eben W.
Fiske» Isaac
Fiske. John M.
Fletcher, Peletiah
Fletcher. Sally VV. .
Fletcher, Timothy
Folsom, Samuel H. .
Fort Laramie
Forty-st'cond Regiment. Scotch Fiighlande
Forty-fifth Massachusetts Regiment
Foster, James
Foster, Hon. Richard
Fourth of July. 1031 .
Fox Grape. The
Foxcroft. Dhniel
Foxcroft, Mayor Daniel
Foxcroft, Elizabeth .
Foxcroft, Francis, 1st
Foxcroft, Francis, Jr.
Foxcroft, John
Foxcroft, Rev. Thomas
Framlingham. England
Framingham, Town of
Francis. Mrs. J. B. .
Francis. Mrs. S. W.
Freeman's Oath, The
French Camp. Cal. .
French, Josiah B.
French. Luther
French. Sally B.
Frontispiece — New County Seal
Frost. Aaron
F'rost. Rosetta K.
Frost. William S. .
Fuller, Sarah Margaret
10.1
Page
... 4f»
. 4ti
Sn
. 275
I«)0. UU. lt>:;
2M5. 2iK<
. ItM, iT-i
. 73
. 73
n*K 7i. 73. 7t>
il 212. 213. 21rt
9
. irM
. 2<W
. uy
55
. 37
. 11)2. 204
. 101
. 1J>2
IIU.201,221
1^2 2i»7. 221, 222
lj^2, 221, 222
. 192, 204
48, ltii»
. <»'7
. 39
. 40
. 4(»
. 211
59. 85
. 85
. 8.J
. 113
. lis
59. 112. 113
. . 242
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INDEX. 321
Pag^e
Fuller. Hon. Timothy 24J, '24'A
Gannett, Caleb 2A
General Court, The 11, 12, h). 45
George, Colonel John H '2(»1)
Georges, Robert 10, 15
Gibson, John 2()7
Glover, Rev. Jose 40, 181
Goble, Daniel 51
Goble, Stephen 51
Goffe and Whalley Regicides, The 48
Goffe, Colonel Edmund 147
Goffe., Edward VM
Going, John K.. Jr 5J), J)6, 97
Going, John Kendall })7
Going, Mary F 07
Golden Rule Lodge Masons, Wakefield KM)
Goodrich, Deacon David 255
Goodrich, John B 252,253
Goodrich, William 'i'V)
Gookin, Rev. Daniel, Jr 31
Gookin, Major-Gcneral Daniel 31. 44. 47. 4!). 50, 51, 55, 14<). 1()7
Gookin, Captain David 1-^
Gookin, Captain Samuel 145,140,14?
Gookin, Samuel, Jr 140, 147
Gordon, General -♦'>1
Gould, Daniel ^'^^>
Gould, Elizabeth Webb Whitmore 123
Gould. Hannah Hill 125
Gould, Jacob 124, 125
Gould, John 124
Gould, Dr. Levi 1-3
Gould, Levi S 1.3.0,3f».40.5!J.01,122,123
Governor and Company of the Massachusetts Bay in New
England • • 1^>' •^>
Governor and Company of the Massachusetts Bay in New
England, Treasurer of 12 «
Grand Lodge of Masons 03. 101, 251
Grand Masters of Masons 03, 1!)0
Gravesend. County of Kent, England l'*i
Graves. Thomas l''^* l'»
Great House, The ^^j'
Great Swamp Fight, The 12''>
Greeley, Horace ^"^'j
Green, John ^^'l
Green, Pcrcival **"^
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Google
ATI INDEX.
Page
Green, Samuel 44, 45, oo
(ircen. Dr. Samuel A t), 29, 145
Greene. William C 184
Greenhalge. Governor 217
Griffin. John Q. A 174. 175
Groton Academy 75, 175. 11>5. 245
Groton. Town of 49, HI, (13, 73, 75
Gundred 121
Hale. Moses Estate . . • 81)
Ham. Benjamin F 177.178,184,212
liammond, Hon. John \V 250,258
Hammond, Captain Laurence 167. 221
Hampton 9
Hardy. Daniel 62
Harris, Charles \ 217.218
Harvard. Rev. John 25
Harvard College 6. 7,
14. 24. 25. 29. 3o. 31. 4t;. 52. H5. ^3. f2. 124. 131, 132.
134. i:i5. 147, 119. 161. 167. h\H, lti9. 172, 179, 191. 192. 195.
19fi, l')9, 2(»3. 204. 207, 208. 211, 221. 222. -.37. 242, 245. 247. 269. 271
Harvard College Library 6
Harvard Law School 217
Harvard School. Charlestown 99
Harwood, .\nna B H»5
Harwood. George W 105
Harwood. Harrison 5r, 61, 104, 105. 113
Harwood, Peter 105
Haskell, Captain 75
Haverhill 9
Hawthorne, Nathaniel 23,242
Hayden. Caleb 224,226
Hayden. Daniel 226
Hayden. Hon. Edward D 224.226
Hayden. Joseph 142. 143
Hayden. Nancy D 226
Heads of Departments 272
Heald, Thomas a3
Higginson 16
Hildrcth, Fisher A 156.157
Hiidreth. Richard 15:^
Hildreth, William 153
Hiidreth. General William 151
Hill. Hannah 125
Hill, James 125
Hingham 11
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Google
' INDEX. 323
Page
Hiram Lodge of Masons, Lexington 157
Hoar, Hon. Samuel 135
Hoare, Daniel 50.51
Hoare, John 50, 51
Holden, Oliver 3(»
Holmes, Oliver Wendell 35
Holt, Caroline S. G. 2(>5
Holt. Joseph G 204. 205
Holt, Nicholas 2(55
Holt, Varnum S 205
Hooker. General 240
Hooker, Rev. Thomas 207
Hooker, Zibeon 179
Hosmer. Major Joseph 152
Hovcy, Mr. 37
Howe, Elias 33
Howton. Elizabeth 50
Hoyte, Simon 17
Huntington, Hon. Asahel 240,247
Huntress, Joseph ^''^
Huntress, Leonard 59.01,04.95.110.251
Huntress, Sally C J^"'
Hurd, Roger H 1H«
Hurd. Theodore C 179.180,184,188,212.205
Hurd. William 17')
Hutchinson, Ann 129
Idaho J>
Illinois ^
Indian Bible (Eliot's), The 44,45,40
Indian Grammar 40
Indian Historian 44
Indians, Praying. The 31,47.48,49,50,51
Indians, Submissive ''^l
Indians, Submissive, Superintendent of 50
Iowa j^
Jackson, President Andrew '^•■>
Jackson, Edward J^^l
Jackson. Colonel Ephraim !<►!
Jackson, Colonel Michael 1'''3
Jackson, Scbas ^^J^
James Arnold, Ship -*>"
Janitor of Lowell Court House -^^*
Jesus College. Cambridge, England 43
Johnson, Captain ^^^*^
Johnson, Edward ''^'
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Google
324 INDEX.
Fage
Johnson, Marmaduke 44, 45
Jones, Isaac F 215, 219
Jones, J. W 275, 276
Jones. Olive 89
Jones, Sarah H. W 215
Judges of Probate and Insolvency 191
Kalamazoo 9
Keeper of Cambridge Jail 272
Kendall. Hon. Amos (55
Kendall. F. H 275,280
Kendall's Tavern, Samuel 61
Kenncy. C. F 271
Keyes, Hon. John 135, 136, 161
Keyes. Hon. John S . . 158. 161
Kidder, Ensign James 200
Kilwinning Lodge of Masons, Lowell 2(K)
Kimball, Charles 159, 161, 163
King Charles I. 11
King George III 32
King Philip M, 47. 50. 51, 117, 124, 125, 2(K>
King Solomon's Lodge of Charlcstown 37
King's Chapel Burying Ground 130
Kneeland. William 207
Knights of Illustrious Orders of the Whte Eagle and Saint
Stanislaus 31
Knowles, Rev. John, of Watertown 7
Knowlton. Rosetta 113
Ku-Klux Klan of the South 48
Lafayette, General De 63
Lake Erie 9
Lake Saint Clair 9
Lane, Job 124
Lane, Major John 124, 125
Lane, Mary 124
Lane. William C 6
Lawrence Academy, Groton 62, 65, 237, 263, 265
Lawrence. Abbott 65
Lawrence. Hon. Luther 62
Lawton, Hon. George F 200,201
Leighton, Thomas, Jr 233, 2^5
l^eominster. Town of 75
Leonard, Colonel 105
Leverett. Hon. John 191
Lexington, Battle of. The 52, 55, 56
Lexington Common (ill.) 54
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INDEX. 325
Page
Lincoln, Brigadier-General Daniel 79
Lincoln, Governor Levi . . . ' . .... 75, 77
Lincoln, Martha 71)
Linn Village 57
Lion, Ship 43
Lion's Whelp. Ship 17
Littleton 4!)
Littleton, Selectmen of 24
Locke, Rev. Samuel 30
Locks and Canals Company, The 38
London Royal Academy. The 35
London Royal Society, The 195
London Society for Propagating the Gospfl in New England . 45
Long, Governor John D. 110
Longfellow, Henry W 24
Lowell Courier. The J'3. 95. 234
Lowell Jail, The 92, 97
Lowell, James Russell 24 •
I-owcll Machine Shop 89
Lowell Manufacturing Company 92
Lowell Mercury, The 95
Lowell & Nashua Railroad Company 92
Lowell, Town of 22. 3^. 4f>
Lunt, Alphonso M. 59,114,115
Lunt. Dr. Moses Dole 115
Lunt, Susan L 115
Lynde, Alonzo V 2(m;, 208
Lynn 12
Mackintire, Ezra 200
Mackintire. Philip 200
Madison, President 79
Maiden 13
Maiden, North 123
Manual of Business Corporation Laws of Massachusetts . . . 217
Marhle Harbor U)
Marlborough 49
Marshall, J. M 261
Marshal-General 144
Martin, Mike 75, 153
Martine, John 160
Mason, X. H., Town of 79
Mason, Captain Hugh 1()9
Mason, Thaddeus . . .- 168,222
Masons, Anti 137
Masons, Grand Master of 63
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Google
C>2G
INDEX.
Massachusetts Bay in New England. Governor and Company
Massachusetts Historical Society .
Massachusetts Medical Society
Massachusetts Teachers' Association
Massachusetts Society Colonial Wars
Massachusetts Digest
Massachusetts Statutory Citations
Massachusetts Teacher, The
Master of House of Correction
Mather, Rev. Richard
McEvoy, George A.
Mclntire, Hon. Charles J.
Mclntire, Ebenezer
McKenna. J. H.
McLean Asylum
Mechanics' Association, The .
Medal of Honor, Congressional
Medford . . .
Medford Turnpike
Medley. Rev. Mr.
Meech, John
Melrose
Memorial Rotunda, State House
Merrimac River. The
Mexican War ....
Michigan
Middlesex Canal
Middlesex County. Historic Glory and Illustrious Men
Middlesex County, Sheriffs of
Middlesex County. Treasurers of
Middlesex Mutual Fire Insurance Company
Middlesex Savings Institution
Middlesex-shire
Mill Dam Corporation
Miller's River
Minute Man, Statue of .
Mishawum
Mishawum and Shawmut
Misticke Bridge
Mitchellsonn, Edward
Mitchellsonn, Ruth Bushell
Mohican Dialect, The
Monadnock Mountain
Monitor Lodge Masons, VValtham
Monument National Bank
Page
of 8, 10, It)
(), 207, JOH
. Ilf5
. 91)
123. 2<M>
. 217
. 217
. 99
. 237
198, 199, 2t>r)
. 200
275. 276
. 247
. 89
. 117
. 36
. 17
14. Tm
. 43
9, 49, 50
. 182
9
29, 57
21,56-57
. 146
. 131
. 137
. 137
9
. 137
. 61
. 53
. 12
. 10
. 19
. 145
. 145
. 44
. 55
91. 119
. 141
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Google
INDEX. ;^.>r
Page
Morse, C. F 275, 278
Morse, Isaac S. 250. 252
Morse, Rev. Jedediah :V5
Morse, Samuel F. B 34
Moscow .S8
Moses Hale Estate 89
Mount fort, Anna i:^,
Mount Horeb, R. A., Chapter. Lowell 91
Mount Vernon Lodge Masons, Maiden 105
Mousell, John 17
Mystic River 52, 55
Nantasket 13
Natick Indians 45>
Natick. Town of 4:)
"Native American'* Party 37
Nazing, England 43
Nebraska 'J
Nelson, Hon. Albert H 247, 248
Nestuan, Job 44
Nevada 9
New College 17
New England Historic Genealogical Society . . . . G, •^25
New Hampshire 9
New Ipswich Academy 135
Newe Towne 12. 25
Newton, City of 44
Newton, Town of . . 79.80
New York City Home for Aged and Infirm 237
New York State 9
Nicholas, Ship 130
Nims' Battery 177
Nixon's Brigade, General 105
Nonantum 44
Norfolk-shire
Norris, Moses 231
Norsemen, The 23
North Bridge, Concord (ill.) 51
North Maiden 55
Nowell, Increase 7, 24, 1H»>
Nutt, George 275. 27i'»
Old Ironsides 3i). 55
Old State House. Boston 191
Old South Meeting House 133
Oregon 9
Ossoli, Marchioness De 242
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Google
3-^8 INDEX.
Page
Oxford, England 17
Pacific Ocean f»
Palmer. Abraham U\
Palmer. Walter h\
Parker, Brigadier-General Daniel 7f»
Parker, Captain James 75
Parker. Hon. Joel, LL.D rCi
Parker, Hon. Leonard M 50. 74, 75
Parker, Sarah D 75
Parry. J. R 275,278
Pawtucket Falls 50
Pearl-street Church, Charlestown 37
Pelham. N. H 01,02
Penn, James 144
Pcntucket Lodge, Lowell lU
Pequossette Lodge Masons, Watcrtown 255
Perronet. Rev. Edward 36
Pevey, Abiel 2<W
Pevey, G. A. A 2tk», 2t>l>
Pevey, Louisa S 269
Pevey. Peter 26!>
Phillips Academy, Andover 216, 229
Phillips. Henry IM^
Phillips. Captain Timothy 146
Phillips. Wendell 1T5
Phinney. Elias 171,172.247
Phipps. Jedediah 3i»
Phipps. Samuel 146,168,203.221
Phipps. Samuel. Jr ItW
Phipps. Solomon 2o3
Phipps-street Burial Ground 13. 25
Phips. Colonel David 140
Physician and Surgeon. Hou'^e of Correction and Jail . 274
Pierce. Captain William 43
Pierce. President 157.234
Pilgrims. The 10
Pillsbury. Hon. A. L 217.261
Pond Feilde 14,55
Popham. Me 55
Porter Apple. The 3t). 31
Porter. Rev. Samuel 30
P<irtsniouth. X. H 9. 15
Poulter, Rachel 125
Praying Indians. The 43,49.51.125
Prescott, Alfred A 209,211
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INDEX.
329
Page
Prescott, Benjamin 105
Prescott, Colonel James 149^ 19(j
Prescott, Hon. James 19(j
Prescott, Joshua 211
Prescott National Bank, Lowell 92
Prescott, Hon. Oliver. M. D. 195
Preston, Dr. Amariah 182
Preston, Marshall Igl 1^2
Preston, Warren Ig2
Probate and Insolvency, Assistant Registers of 215
Probate and Insolvency, Judges of 191
Probate and Insolvency, Registers of 203
Probation Officers, Superior Criminal Court .... 272, 274
Provincial Congress, The 36
Puritan Blood 56, 57
Putnam Lodge of Masons, Cambridge 211
Pynchon, Hon. William 126, 127
Quakers, The 50
Quaint Legislation by the Puritans . . . .19, 20, 21
Ramsay, J. P 274,277
Randolph, John
Rayner, Anna 125
Rayner, Rev. John 1-25
Read, Hon. J. Henry ofMil, 108, 109, 11.3.
Read, J. Henry, Genealogy of
Read, Joseph
Read, Joshua
Read, Mary A. F
Read, Mary H
Read, Mary P
Read, Mary S
Read. Ruth U * *
Read, Sarah F.
Read. Thomas
Read, Thomas, Jr
Read, Zaccheus
Read, Zaccheus. Jr
Reade, Alice W
Reade, Anna S.
Reade, Esdras
Reade. Matthew
Reade, Obadiah
Reading 5
Rebellion, The Great 52
Registers of Deeds, Northern District 234
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Google
330 INDEX.
Page
Registers of Deeds, Southern District 2*21
Registers of Probate and Insolvency 203
Remington, Hon. Jonathan 192
Revere. Paul 52
Revolution, The 52
Rice, Governor Alexander H. 80
Richards, L. H 276,277
Richardson, Daniel 91
Richardson, Captain Daniel 92
Richardson, Hon. Daniel S 59,01,91,237
Richardson, Ezekiel 91
Richardson, Hon. George F. 92, 237
Richardson, Judge J. P 205
Richardson, Captain Josiah . . . . . . 05, 91
Richardson, Lieutenant Josiah 92
Richardson, Mary A 91
Richardson, Captain William 92
Richardson. Hon. William A 92. 194, 199
Robinson Crusoe 80
Rogers, William E 212,214,215,210
Roxbury 1-2.43
Royal Academy of London 35
Royal Society of London 120, 1:K5
Ruggles, Rev. Samuel H8
Rumford, Count 20,27.29.31,33
Rumford. N. H 32
Rumford Professorship, The 31
Russell. Hon. Daniel 132. 13:^, 143
Russell, Hon. James 132.191
Russell. Hon. James. 2d 133
Russell. Hon. Richard 130, 132. 143
Russell. Governor William E 89. 212
Saint Anne's Church. Lowell 38, 39
Saint James Church, South Groveland 237
Saint John's Church, Lowell 89
Saint John's R. A. Chapter 03
Saint Paul's Lodge, Groton 63
Saint Thomas's Church, Dover, N. H 237
Salary County Recorder in 1059 19
Salary Keeper of Prison in 1001 19
Salem 10,12
Salisbury . . . . ^
Saltonstall. Sir Richard 255
Sanderson. Charlotte E. T 203
Sanderson, George A 202,203,271
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INDEX. 331
PaRC
Sanderson, George W 2ti3
Sanger, Richard 80
Sanger, Captain Samuel 30
Saugus 1*2
Saunders, Martin l-i")
Saunders. Mary 12.5
Saville. George W. W 27t). 277, 278
Sawyer, Elihu 182
Sawyer, John James 182, 183
Scituate 17
Scottish Highlanders, Forty-second Regiment of ... . 105
Seal, New County, Adopted July 15, lf)()5, Frontispiece.
Seals of Cities and Towns, Middlesex County .... 282-305
Selectmen of Concord, Fixed Prices of Commodities . .21
Selectmen of Chelmsford, Fixed Prices of Commodities .21
Sewell, Judge 146
Shaw, H. E 276,277,278
Shaw, Chief Justice Lemuel 29, 85, 92
Shawmut and Mishawum 10
Sherborn, Town of 30
Shepard, Rev. Thomas, of Cambridge 7
Sheriffs, The Deputy 276
Sheriffs of Middlesex County 146
Sherman, General William T. 163. 240
Sherwin, H. C 276,277
Sliirley, Town of 36, 75, 76. 79
Sill. Captain 47
Simonds, Lieutenant James 32
Simonds, William 32
Sioux City !^
Sixth Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteers 52
Smith. Francis 99
Smith, Captain John 10
Smith, Mary 99
Smith, Ralph N 187, 188
Smith. Rev. S. F 80
Smith. William 251
Smith's Pond, Wakefield 99
Somerville Journal, The 143
Somerville National Bank, The 143
Soule. Richard, Jr 12
South Reading Academy 99
South Reading National Bank 109
Spanish War. The 52
Sparhawk, Nathaniel 200
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332
INDEX.
Society of the Cincinnati
Special County Commissioners
Special Shcriflf .
Spot Pond
Sprague, Anthony
Sprague, Edward
Sprague. Hannah
Sprague, Joanna
Sprague, John .
Sprague, Peleg \V.
Sprague, Phineas
Sprague, Ralph .
Sprague, Richard
Sprague, Samuel
Sprague, William
Stamford
Stearns, Hon. Asahel
Stedman, John .
Stephenson, Robert
Stevens, Charles B.
Stevens. George
Stevens, Lieutenant-Colonel Henry
Stevens. Hon. William B
Stickline. John .
Stiles. G. F.
Stone, Abigail
Stone. Amos
Stone. Hon. Arthur P.
Stone, Dr. William F.
Stoneham Street Railway Company
Stonington
Stony Brook Railroad Company
Stow, Town of .
Stowers, Nicholas
Strawberry-Bank
Strong, Hon. Simeon
St. Petersburg
Suburban Press Association
Strange, D. T. .
SuflFolk-shire
Swan, .Albert G.
Swan. Dr. Charles W. .
Swan. Deborah B. .
Swan. Hon. Joshua .
Swan, Joshua, Jr.
Page
. 15J
. 5S
272, 2Tii
18. 124. 12r»
. 14
l'\
•V»
. 13
. 13
14
. 13
12, 13. 55
12, 13. 14
13
12, 13, M
. 17
244, 245
. 131
. 38
220, -227, 229, 23<), 233
254,
230.
231
t>.
257. 2r>^
. 17
•280
. 83
140. 141
. 271
. 225
. loi»
17, 3f>
. 110
. 67
. 17
9
. 135
. 38
. 143
272, 277
7
. 80
. 8')
80
59. 88. 8f»
. 89
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Google
INDEX. 333
Page
Swan, Dr. Thomas 2()3
Swan. Dr. William D 89
Swayne, Major I'io
Sweetser, Michael 9J)
Sweetser, Paul 99
Sweetser. Paul H 59,61,98,99
Sweetser, Samuel 99
Sweetser, Sarah N.- 99
Sweetser, Theodore H *2t)9
Swett, Samuel 30
Sudbury, Town of 57
Sufferings and Privations of Early Settlers 18
Supplement 272
Superintendent Brush Department, House of Correction . . 274
Superintendent of County Buildings 289
Superintendent of Truant School 2H)
Symmes, Rev. Zechariah, Charlestown 7
Tea in Colonial Times 20
Tewksbury, Town of 49
Thomas' Almanac 215
Thomas, Isaiah 02
Thompson, Benjamin (Count Rumford) 2(>. 27. 31
Thompson, Hon. E. E 272, 277
Thompson, Edward H 230.282
Thompson, Captain Joseph P 237, 239, 240
Thoreau, Henry D 23
Ticknor, Professor George 30
Tidd, J. E 277, 2^^^^
Tillinghast. Charles B
Toll Bridges. Charles River 77
Tolman, B. S 270,277
Tompson, Lieutenant James 31
Tower, Anna Vose 05
Tower, Hon. .\ugustus 58.59,01.04,05,71
Tower, Benjamin 05
Tower, Charles 07
Tower, John (>5
Tower, Margaret Ibrook ()5
Tower, Polly Leathe 07
Townsend, Hon. David 58. 5!>, 01. 70, 71, 73
Townsend, Sarah J 71
Train. Hon. Charles R 249,251.252
Travis, George C 210
Treasurers of Governor and Company of the Massachusetts Bay
in New England 127
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334 IXDEX.
Page
Treasurers of Middlesex County • . 131
Trinity College, Hartford 215.274
Troy M
Trull, Larkin T 2«1
Tucker, S. W 278,279
Tufts College 258
Tuttle, Hon. John L VVy
Tyler, Joseph H 210,211
Tyng, Captain William 130
Union College, Schenectady 179
Union Harmony 3<i
United Brethren Lodge, Masons, Marlboro 115
United States Military Academy, The 4o
Upham, John 117
Upham, Lois 125
Upham, Mary S. . 117
Upham, Otis 117
L^pham, Lieutenant Phineas 117, 125
Upham, Samuel 59. IIH, 117
Upway, County of Dorset, England 13
Ursuline Convent, The <»9
Utah 9
Utley, Dr. E. R 274.279
Valley Forge 101,182,209
Vane, Sir Harry 207
Varnum. Hon. Benjamin F .58,59,01.08,09,157
Varnum, Major-General Joseph Bradley 09. 157
Virginia . 12. 47
Virginia, Sloop 55
Vox Populi, Lowell, The 251
Vermont & Massachusetts Railroad Compiny 92
Wackenfeldt 3.3
Wadlin, Horace G ♦>
Waitt, Aaron 103
Waitt. Hon. Joseph H 59, 102, lo3
Waitt, Nancy C lo3
Walford, Jane 15
Walford, Thomas 15
Walker, Rev. James, D. D 05
Walker, Rev. Robert 274,279
Waltham Machine Shop 89
Waltham. Town of 71
Walsh, W. H 278.279
Walton, Hon. Daniel G 59.01,100,107
Walton, Elizabeth B W
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INDEX.
335
Walton. James
Walworth Manufacturing Company
Wamesits. The ....
War of 1812 ....
Ward, General Artcmas .
Wardwell, W.'c.
Warren, John ....
Warren, Major-Gencral Joseph, M.
Warren, M. A. ...
Warren, Mary ....
Washington, General George .
Waterman, Rev. Thomas .
Water Mill, Near Spot Pond .
Watertown ....
Wayside Inn, Sudbury (ill.) .
Webster, Hon. Daniel
Wentworth, Governor
Wessagussett Colony
Western Railroad
W^stford Academy
Westford Mutual Fire Insurance Company
Westminster Academy
West Point ....
West Newton ....
West Townsend
Wcthcrsfield, Conn.
Weymouth ....
Whale, The Ship
Wheeler, .\bner
Wheeler, Elizabeth Brooks-Hunt
Wheeler, George
Whipple, Captain John
Whipple. Susannah
Whistler, Major George W. .
Whistler, James Abbott McNeil
Whistler, Major John
Whitman. C. G. ...
Whitmorc, Francis
Whitmore, Deacon John
Whitmore, John. Jd .
Whitmore, Rachel Eliot-Poulter
Wier, Frederick N. .
Wiggin. A. H
Wilbraham Academy
Willard, Rev. Mr. .
3(),
1-2, 47
Page
. 107
. 1(»8
4J), 50
. 73
. a5
278, 27J)
120, l(i9
. 3H
27n, 280
120, 121, M;l
3t». 179, 182, 2()9
, 87
18
, 5(), o7, 79
, 54
30, 87, 190, 247
32
, 15
38
i9, 109, 212
. 110
. 105
38, 39
. 79
. 79
. 17
. 15
. 129
58, 59
(u
. 10.0
. 121
. 124
. 38
;«. 39, 40
. 3f)
278. 279
124, 125
. 125
. 124
. 125
200, 201
279. 280
. 103
. 13.5
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Google
J
336
INDEX.
Willard, Joseph A. .
Willard, Ransom
William the Conqueror
Williams College
Williams, Captain Thomas
Williard, Major Simon
Wilmington, Town of
Wilson, Vice-President Henry
Wilson, Rev. John .
Winchester Historical Society
Windsor ....
Winship, Hon. Thomas .
Winslow, Henry H.
Winthrop, Hon. James
Winthrop, Governor John
43. 51. 55, 91, 120, 1
Winthrop, Professor John
Winthrop, Hon. William
Wisconsin Assembly, The
Woburn ....
Woodbury, Hon. Levi
Worcester, Town of .
Worthen Street, Lowell .
Wright, Asahel B. .
Wright, Zaccheus
Wyman ....
Wyoming
Wyoming Lodge of Masons,
Yale University
Yc Newe Society, A. B. C. D
Yorktown
Young, B. M. .
24, 1
25, 1
Meir
Page
. 182
272, 279
121, 169
20<), 229
. 65
19, 23, 24
2(i, 32
. 177
. 7
. 212
. 17
. 109
. 267
24, 2(»2. 207, 208
8, 9. 10, 12, 13,
29. 180. 144, lt»9, 195, 208. 222, 267
190. 195, 207, 222
24 222
. 252
7, 13, 57
. 137
. 62
. 40'
234, 23<>
. 153
. 2(>3
. 9
. 123
247, 263
. 48
. 52
278, 279
20
u
18
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Google
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2044 024 208 217
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